Kindrat Fedorovych Strashkevych – the curator of the Mints cabinet of St. Volodymyr’s University in 1865–1868
Authors:   National museum of Ukrainian history, Zraziuk Zinaida 
Published: May 2022

The article is dedicated to K. F. Strashkevych – the curator (1865–1868) of the Mints cabinet of St. Volodymyr’s University. The main purpose of the research is to investigate the activities of the scientist in the position of curator of the numismatic collection, his contribution to the development of numismatic science, quantitative and qualitative composition of the numismatic collection of the university during his term. Newly found archival documents which expose the figure of K. F. Strashkevych as the curator (1865–1868) of the Mints cabinet of St. Volodymyr’s University, his contribution to the study of numismatics and the formation of the numismatic collection of the university are introduced into scientific circulation. Through a comparative analysis of archival sources stored in various archival institutions in Kyiv, it was possible to determine the main sources of accessions of numismatic artifacts and sources of collection formation. The Academic Collection of the Mints cabinet of the University of St. Volodymyr was one of the largest and most famous in the Russian Empire. It was created in 1834 by transferring the collections of the Kremenetsky Lyceum (approx. 20,000 thousand coins and medals) and the University of Vilnius (approx. 2000 units) to the newly established Kiev University. During the years of its existence, it has significantly expanded and according to the report of 1915 consisted of 61560 coins and medals. The main sources for the collection expansions were the treasures, which, by order of the Governor-General of Kiev, Volyn and Podil, from the 1830s, were brought to the University for consideration. In addition, coins and medals were donated to the collection, purchased from individuals and also through auctions. From 1865 to 1868 Kindrat Straskevich (1816–1868) was a keeper of the University’s Mints Cabinet, a graduate of St. Volodymyr’s University, an associate professor of the Department of Greek and Roman Literature. When accepting the collection from the previous keeper Yakov Yakovlevich Voloshynsky, Kindrat Fedorovych became interested in treasures and, having raised archival sources from 1838, prepared and published in October-December 1866 and October 1867 issues of magazine «Universitetskie Izvestiya» review of treasures that were brought to the University for consideration. A total review of 117 treasures have been published, consisting of 78,530 coins (of which only about 4,000 coins have been selected for the collection of Coins cabinet). According to Vladimir Bonifatievich Antonovich, this scientific work has attracted the attention of scientists engaged in numismatics, and has taken a honorable place in the national numismatic literature. Thanks to the work of K. F. Strashkevich and his predecessor Y. Y. Voloshinsky, the attitude to the treasure was gradually changed. They were finally considered not only as a means to expand the collection, but also as a valuable source that provides information on the historical, political and economic history. During the K. F. Strashkevich term the treasure for the first time was bought in full. Unfortunately, after 1867, all the treasures found on the territory of Kyiv, Podil and Volyn provinces had to be sent to the Imperial Archeological Commission in St. Petersburg. When the addition of new treasures to the numismatic collection of the university almost ceased, K. F. Strashkevych began work on preparing the publication of a systematic catalog of ancient Greek and Roman coins. These plans were not destined to come true – on October 5 (17) 1868, Kindrat Strashkevich dies after a serious illness. Kindrat Fedorovych Strashkevych’s contribution to the development of numismatic science is difficult to overestimate. Thanks to his publications, we have information about a substantial strata of coin finds in the three provinces of the Russian Empire in the 30–60-ties of the XIX century. His scientific work did not lost its significance for modern numismatic science.