The Most Valuable National Sceptre

The Most Valuable National Scepter.

Russia possesses the most valuable national scepter in the world. It is three feet in length, is made of solid gold and ornamented with 268 diamonds, 360 rubies and 15 emeralds. The scepter, which forms part of the regalia, is handed to the czar on his coronation the emblem of sovereignty. At the coronation of the present czar, which took place in Moscow cathedral, in May, 1896, the Metropolitan of the Russian church handed the scepter to the czar with these words. "God-crowned czar, and Grand Duke Michael Feodorovich, Autocrat of All the Russias, receive the scepter that the Lord gives you to govern the great dominion of Russia, and take care of it, for it is thy strength and thy power."