RUSSIAN COINAGE - Lots 601-710

PRE-PETRINE COINAGE - Lots 601- 633

THE First Russian Coins
For over 200 years what constituted Russia's first coins was, and still is, the greatest mystery of Russian numismatics, an object of much discussion and the goal of the most sophisticated collections. At the very end of the 18th Century, two coins became known: one gold (zlatnik) with the name of Vladimir, and one silver (srebrenik) of Yaroslav. This was followed by single findings of Vladimir's silver coins. It took the discovery of two hoards -- one in Nezhin (1852) the other in Kiev (1876), however, to ultimately solve the question of Russian ancestry of these coins. Among the Nezhin coins were some naming Sviatopolk. In 1882, I.I. Tolstoi published his famous Corpus, which listed all the coins known at that time, featured by type and lineage of issue.The oldest Russian coins were attributed to Great Prince Vladimir Sviatoslavovich (980 - 1015), Sviatopolk Yaropolkovich (1015 and 1018) and Yaroslav Vladimirovich the Wise (1019-1054). At the time, the attribution of the rulers named on the coins uncovered varied and positive attribution had yet to be made. Thus the whereabouts of these coins remained at the forefront of Russain numismatic discussions for another 100 years. It took a few lucky finds at archaeological excavations and later successes in studying the Prince's contemporary seals to finally reach an answer, which is reflected in the Corpus: M. Sotnikova and I. Spassky. Russian Coins of the X-XI Centuries A.D. BAR International Series, 196. Oxford, 1982 and M. Sotnikova and I. Spassky. Tisyacheletie Drevneishich Monet Rosii. Cvodnii Catalog Russkich Monet X-XI vekov. Leningrad, 1983. This was later updated: M. Sotnikova. Drevneishie Rysskie Moneti X-XI vekov. Moscow, 1995. By the end of the 10th - Early 11th Century A.D., some Eastern countries, such as Poland and Hungary, and also Scandinavia accepted Christianity, and began minting their own coinage. In 988, Prince Vladimir followed the Byzantines, and instituted Christianity in Russia. At that time, he issued the first coins. His gold and silver coins carried the image of Christ (borrowed from Byzantine solidii) on one side, and a very original portrait of the Prince himself with realistic features, such as a long moustache and a bulky nose, on the other. There was also a trident by his shoulder - his personal tamgha. The legend states either: "Vladimir, and this is his gold (silver)", or "Vladimir on the table (throne)". The weight and type of the gold coin followed its Byzantine Nomisma prototype. Silver coins (srebreniks) derived their size and weight from Islamic silver Dirhems, which had been circulating in Russia for about 200 years by that time. However, the metal quality was different. Only a few coins were of silver, most were billon or contained no silver whatsoever. Apparently this came as a result of an inability to employ natural silver resources and no experience in mint organization. But most of all, it stemmed from the nature and perception of coinage. Coinage in good metal was a matter of prestige rather than a common circulating medium, with sporadic issues associated with some important event. Thus Vladimir's type I gold and silver coins were probably issued in connection with the acceptance of Christianity and with the Prince's wedding with Anna, the Byzantine emperor's sister. Zlatniks were never reissued, srebreniks, however, were coined again much later (new types have never appeared together with older types in the same hoards). In rapid succession three new srebrenik types were minted. Their common feature is the replacement of the image of Christ with the Prince's tamgha. Meanwhile, both of the earlier legends are now together on the same coin: "Vladimir at the table" around the image of the enthroned Prince, and"And this is his silver" - around the Prince's symbol. Types II, III and IV differ from one another by details of the Prince's attire and the depiction of the throne. Stylistic analysis shows that there was one master and several helpers working on each type. This seems likely because the bronze dies for minting were soft and needed constant improvement. This explains why among those few coins which have survived, the number of die pair combinations is almost the same as the number of coins themselves! Moreover, most coins show signs of design degradation due to several factors, notably poor knowledge of minting techniques. Prince Vladimir srebrenik types II, III and IV were issued approximatly 1014 - 1015 A.D., and seem to be connected with his second wedding (after his first wife Anna died in 1011 A.D.) to Duke Kuno's daughter, the, granddaughter of German Emperor Otto the Great. After Vladimir's death, the struggle for the Kievan throne between his sons continued for several years. Prince Sviatopolk succeeded twice, marking his victories with newly coined srebreniks. Coins in the name of Sviatopolk (1015 ) are very similar to Vladimir's last issues, differing only in the name of the Prince and his symbol, the bident (a two-pronged trident instead of a three-pronged). Issues of Yaroslav Vladimirovich in Novgorod (1014/5 and 1018) were also apparently issued only in brief spurts. Today just a few coins have survived. As a result of studies of overstriking on earlier issues, it has become possible to arrange chronologically the issues of Vladimir and Sviatopolk. The Corpus lists only 5 such coins: Vladimir type II struck over type I; type III struck over type II; type III struck over type I (known only by a book reference), and finally two coins of Sviatopolk - struck over Vladimir's type II. Offered here is a coin of Sviatopolk (# 603) struck over Vladimir's type III. Because of its small scale, Russia's short-lived 10th-11th Century coinage did not impact common circulation. Its importance, though, is manifold. These coins are not only historic monuments and milestones of coin minting and trade, they also carry the very first Russian portraits and the earliest writing evidence. The last (updated) edition of the Corpus, listed just a few of these coins in private hands. The rest are in museums, mostly in Russia and the Ukraine. Soon after minting ceased at the beginning of the 11th Century, coinage needs were met for a some time by Western European denarii. A so-called "coinless" period followed, when trading was transacted in cast bars of silver (of certain weight and form). Before the Mongol period (mid-13th Century), in the southern and western regions of Russia, hexagonal bars circulated with weights of about 163 grams. (Kiev Grivna type). In northern Russia, meanwhile, a cylindrical bar was used, weighing about 204 grams. (Novgorod Grivna type). A half unit version, which is even rarer, was also used. In the second half of the 13th Century, Novgorod Grivnas began to prevail in southern Russia as well, and continued in circulation until the mid-15th Century.

A UNIQUE OFFERING OF THE EARLIEST RUSSIAN COINAGE

601 Great Principality of Kiev. VLADIMIR I, THE GREAT, 980-1915. Srebrennik. 1.82 gm. Type II. Ca. 1010-1015. Sotnikova/Spassky 71 (same die). Nimbate figure of Prince Vladimir holding cross in left hand. His right hand is on his chest. Legend starts at 8:00. All in double beaded border / Vladimir's tamgha (trident), legend. All in beaded border. Of the Greatest Rarity and historic value. Cleaned. Broken flan. Otherwise very nice and clear. Better preserved than most known specimens VF 10,000.

602 VLADIMIR I THE GREAT, 980-1915. Srebrennik. 3.49 gm. Type IV. Ca. 1014-1015. Sotnikova/Spassky 168 (same die). Nimbate figure of Prince Vladimir enthroned holding cross in left hand. His right hand is on his chest. Legend starts at 8:00. All in double beaded border / Vladimir's tamgha (trident), legend. All in double beaded border. Of the Greatest Rarity and historic value. Well-centered. Well preserved EF 15,000. See color plate

603 SVIATOPOLK I, 1015-1018. Srebrennik. 2.54 gm. Overstruck on Srebrennik of Vladimir, type III. Sotnikova/ Spassky 179 (same die). Nimbate figure of Prince Sviatopolk enthroned holding cross in left hand. His right hand is on his chest. Legend starts at 8:00. All in double beaded border / Sviatopolk's tamga (bident), legend. All in double beaded border. Of the Greatest Rarity and historic value. Minor metal flow by the edge VF 12,500.

604 Principality of Tmutarakan. Time of Prince Mstislav, 988-1036. Ca. First Quarter of the 11th Century. 0.45 gm. Billon. Imitating Basil II and Constantine VIII (976-1025) type Byzantine miliaresion. Golenko 2. Cross crosslet on steps, facing busts of Emperors / Square punches, imitating a legend. VERY RARE Choice VF for the issue 1,000. See color plate

605 Time of Prince Mstislav, 988-1036. Ca. First Quarter of the 11th Century. 2.5 gm. Bronze. Imitating Basil II and Constantine VIII type Byzantine miliaresion. Golenko 8. Cross crosslet, with X at center, facing busts of Emperors / Round punches, imitating a legend. VERY RARE Good F 750.

606 Kiev type Grivna Ingot. Ca. 11th - early 13th Century. Hexagonal. 78.28 by 38.19 mm. 157.81 gm. Graffiti in the shape of two crosses on top. EXTREMELY RARE. Very nice dark patina Choice and problem free 2,500.

607 NOVGOROD. Poltina Ingot. Ca. Late 14th - early 15th Century. Average 63.31 mm. 95.92 gm. Sp Fig.54. Two punchmarkes on top. Indications of two operation molding typical for the time. This is the latest stage of Russian bar production. EXTREMELY RARE. Poltinas are much scarcer than 'Rouble' Grivnas. Old dark patina. Choice and problem free 4,000.

608 N0VGOROD. Republic. Ca. 1420-1456. Denga. 0.76 gm. Sp 66.2 Choice VF   100.

609 NOVGOROD under Moscow. After 1456. Copper Pulo. 1.18 gm. Gai 430; Sp 67.9var. Only three other coins are recorded, this and one in the State Hermitage, the other in the State Historical Museum. RARE and very nice Choice VF   200.

610 Novgorod. City coinage. Ca. 15th Century. Copper Pulo. 0.46 gm. Type III. Gai 440. Doubleheaded eagle / Legend. Very nice for the issue Choice VF   50.

611 Great Principality of RYAZAN. Oleg Ivanovich. Ca. 1380's. Denga. 0.66 gm. Ryazanian Prince's Tamgha overstrike on Tartar coin. Sp 61.6 variant VF   100.

612 Great Principality of TVER. Mikhail Borisovich, 1461-1486. Denga. 0.56 gm. Sp 62.19. Quadruped / Four line inscription. Weak on one side VF   175.

613 Great Principality of TVER. City coinage. Copper Pulo. 1.70 gm. Type VI. Gai 107. A man with a bow at right / Legend. Only four other coins are recorded. RARE. Nice dark patina Choice VF   150.

614 Unidentified mint. Copper Pulo. 0.94 gm. Type III. Gai 452. Horseman with a sword at right, beaded circle around, RARE. Weakly struck. Nice dark patina Good VF   275.

615 IVAN III, 1462-1505. Chertveretsa. 0.16 gm. Sp 75.17. Snow-leopard at left in lined circle /Legend: КН / ZЬ ВЕЛ / ИI IВ / АНЪ in dotted circle. VERY RARE About VF   150.

616 IVAN IV "The Terrible", 1533-1584. Pre-reform coinage 1533-1535. Denga with the weight of Polushka. 0.21 gm. K/G 8 (RVI). VERY RARE Good VF   100.

617 Polushka. Pskov. 0.14 gm. K/G 102 (RVII); Sp 79.12. Bird at r. with flower / Legend: ПСК / ОВЬС / КАА. VERY RARE Good VF   150.

618 Polushka. Novgorod. 0.12 gm. K/G 103 (RVII); Sp 79.11. Bird at r., / Legend: ВЕЛИ / КАГО Н / ОВАГР / ОДА. VERY RARE Good VFv150.

619 BORIS GODUNOV, 1598-1605. Kopeck with the name of Feodor РЗ (1599). Pskov. 0.68 gm. K/G 161(RVI). This is a VERY RARE early issue right after the death of Feodor Ivanovich VF   150.

620 Kopeck. Moscow. 0.67 gm. K/G 169 (RVII). RARE variety VF   50.

621 FEODOR GODUNOV, April, 13 - June 10, 1605. Kopeck. Moscow. 0.52 gm. K/G 234 (RIV). EXTREMELY RARE and important Choice VF...350.

622 Kopeck, Moscow. 0.69 gm. K/G 237 (RVII). VERY RARE EF   275.

623 DMITRY IVANOVICH, 1605-06. Kopeck. Moscow. 0.67 gm. K/G 245 (RVII). RARE variety with MO below the horse. Toned EF   150.

FONT COLOR=black SIZE="2"> MIKHAIL FEODOROVICH, 1613-1645

624 4 Ducats ND. GOLD. 9.23 gm. Novodel. Fr 25; Reichel 4558; Shubert 35; Kaim 1414. Crowned double-headed eagle with unicorn / Crowned double-headed eagle with St. George in a shield. VERY RARE. Fully lustrous Almost UNC   6,000. A magnificent coin. See color plate

625 Denga. 0.22 gm. Mel 1-2. This VERY RARE coin is low grade, but with clearly legible name and completely identifiable type. Good F   150.

626 Polushka. 0.11 gm. Mel Pl.9 A-A. Bird r./ Legend ГОСУДАРЬ in ligated letters, a tilda above. EXTREMELY RARE. Weakly struck. Obv. off center About VF   150.

627 Danish Coinage. Pechora Company, after 1619. Gluckstadt mint. Mintmaster Albert Dionys. Denning. 0.48 gm. Corrupt legend with the name of Mikhail Feodorovich. Meln 9-16; Berglund Type 4c. EXTREMELY RARE. Weak on one side. About VFv800. This is arguably the rarest, most intriging and most expensive series of wire-money.

ALEXEI MIKHAILOVICH, 1645-1676

628 Jefimok Rouble (1654). Novodel. 27.39 gm. Reichel 715. Tzar on horseback with scepter / State emblem. Cyrillic date 7162 (year of the World). An early issue. Some laminations on obverse. Very nice Choice VF 1,000. A popular Novodel with the first western-style Russian crown.

629 Jefimok Rouble 1655. Counterstamped "Horseman" and "1655", on a Taler of Strassburg ND. 29.13 gm. Spassky 1310 this coin !!; Dav 5842. RARE. Nice lustre Choice EF 1,800. Ex Dmitry Markov Coins & Medals 'Russian sale' September 11, 1996, # 54.

630 Jefimok Rouble 1655. Counterstamped "Horseman" and "1655", on a Patagon of Brabant, 1632. 27.97 gm. Spassky 535; Dav 4462. RARE. Great cabinet patina. Choice, clear c/m's Choice EF 1,000.

631 FEODOR ALEXEYEVICH, 1676-1682. Denga. 0.17 gm. Mel Pl 41,a. VERY RARE VF   200.

632 IVAN ALEXEYEVICH, 1682-1689. Denga. 0.17 gm. EXTREMELY RARE Choice VF   250.

633 Denga. 0.21 gm. VERY RARE Choice VFv200.

IMPERIAL COINAGE Lot 634- 818

PETER THE GREAT, 1682-1725

634 2 Roubles, 1720. GOLD. 4.07 gm. Fr 77; Uzd 0032 (R); Sev 63. Lustrous. Great portrait About UNC / Choice EFv1,750. See color plate

635 2 Roubles, 1724. GOLD. 4.03 gm. Fr 77; Uzd 0038 (RR); Sev 101 (S). Well centered. Very nice Almost EF   1,250. See color plate

636 Rouble, AYE (1705) МД. 29.33 gm. Uzd 485 (S); Sev 174 (S). Portrait is pleasantly worn. Struck on a very large planchet, which is typical for overstrikes on European Talers. However, no details of the host coin are seen. Scarce and interesting. Lovely old collection toning About VF / VF...1,000.

637 Rouble, AY3 (1707). 27.68 gm. Uzd 506 (R); Sev 230 (R). RARE Choice VF   1,000.

638 Rouble, 1710 H. 26.63 gm. Uzd 0504 (RR); Sev 233 (RR). VERY RARE variety with letter H on sleeve. Weak in places About VF   1,500. Ex Willy Fuchs Sale, Sotheby's, April 25-26. 1996, London. Lot # 65. Brought Ј 935.

639 Rouble, 1712 G. 28.13 gm. Uzd 0530 (R); Sev 292 (R). RARE and very nice. Grey old toning Choice VF   1,250.

640 Rouble, AYИI (1718). 27.92 gm. Uzd 0558 (S); Sev 363. Nice portrait. Lustrous Good VF   375. Ex World Wide Coins of CA, Santa Rosa, November 16, 1995, # 564.

641 Rouble, AYQI (1719) OK. 26.96 gm. Uzd 0577; Sev 434 (S). Surface encrustations About VF   250.

642 Rouble, AYQI (1719) OK. 27.30 gm. Uzd 0577; Sev 434 (S) Good VF   300.

643 Rouble, AYK (1720). 27.71 gm. Uzd 0588; Sev 483 Good VF   300.

644 Rouble, 1721 K. 27.29 gm. Uzd 0598; Sev 510 (S). Lamination marks and field scratches Good F   200.

645 Rouble, 1723 OK 28.41 gm. Uzd 0606; ; Sev 551 (S). Some surface flaws. Very nice Choice VF   300.

646 Rouble, 1723. 28.77 gm. Uzd 0610; Sev 587 Choice VF   275.

647 Rouble, 1723. 28.49 gm. Uzd 0610; Sev 587. Lustrous. Exactly the same variety as lot above, but better looking coin Choice VFv275.

648 Rouble, 1724 OK. 27.52 gm. Uzd 0616; Sev 640 (S). Very nice Almost EF / EF   500.

649 Rouble, 1725 OK. 28.09 gm. Uzd 0623; Sev 686. Couple of scratches. Bold strike Choice VF   300.

650 Rouble, 1725 СПБ. "Sun Rouble". 27.68 gm. Uzd 0626; Sev 667 (S). Typical laminations, edge problem or test mark at 3:30. Nice portrait VF   400.

651 Poltina, AYB (1702). 13.71 gm. Uzd 0442 (RR); Sev 63 (R). RARE. Nice old collection toning Choice VF or better   1,500.

652 Poltina, AYG (1703). 14.16 gm. Uzd 0457 (RR); Sev 77 (RR). Petrov (100 Rub.); GM 340 (Very Rare). EXTREMELY RARE. Somewhat weakly struck VF / Good VF   2,500.

653 Poltina, AYE (1705). 13.37 gm. Uzd 0487 (S); Sev 161 (S). Nice old toning Good VF   400.

654 Poltina, 1705. 12.62 gm. Novodel. Uzd 487 (R); Sev 165 A (R); KM N-C3. RARE. Many contact marks in fields. Lustrous, nice old collection patina About EF / EF   800.

655 Poltina, 1706. 13.75 gm. Uzd 0500 (S); Sev 194 (R). Irregular edge, otherwise very nice and Scarce Choice VF   800. Ex Hans Schulman, Auction 247, May 1968, # 2032. Ex Willy Fuchs Sale, Sotheby's, April 25-26. 1996, London. Lot # 54.

656 Poltina, 1707. 14.14 gm. Uzd 0509 (R); Sev 229 (R). Scarce. Lovely light yellow toning Good VF   500. First Arabic-dated Poltina.

657 Poltina, 1710. 13.71 gm. Uzd 0520 (R); Sev 259 (R). Scarce. Lovely toning Good VF1   1,000. Ex Willy Fuchs Sale, Sotheby's, April 25-26. 1996, London. Lot # 66. Brought Ј 748.

658 Poltina, AYQI (1719) L. 13.65 gm. Uzd 0583; Sev 410 (S). Lovely toning Choice VF   300. Ex Willy Fuchs Sale, Sotheby's, April 25-26. 1996, London. Lot # 84.

659 Poltina, AYKA (1721). 13.44 gm. Uzd 0600; Sev 490. Gray-yellow toning Good VF   200.

660 Grivennik, AYД (1704) М. Eagle with large crown. 2.64 gm. Uzd 474 (S); Sev 91 (R) Almost EF   750. Ex Sotheby's, October 7, 1969, # 86. Ex Willy Fuchs Sale, Sotheby's, April 25-26. 1996, London. Lot # 41. Brought Ј 638.

661 Grivennik, ЯYQ (1709) БК. 2.88 gm. Uzd 515; Sev 247 (S) Good VF   175.

662 5 Kopecks, 1724 МД. 19.90 gm. Uzd 2442; B 291. Nice chocolate patina. Very Scarce this nice About EF / EF   50.

663 5 Kopecks, 1725 МД. 19.15 gm. Uzd 2449; B 293. Nice chocolate patina. Very Scarce this nice Almost EF   50.

664 Square Beard Token, 1725. 25.22 gm. 36.65 by 36.15 mm. B 11 (RR). Four-line legend within ornamental border./ Plain field within ornamental border. Lettered edge-4: 'THE BEARD IS UNNECESSARY BURDEN'. Obverse with edge die break. EXTREMELY RARE. Lustrous Choice EF   1,250.

CATHERINE I, 1725-1727

665 Rouble, 1725 (St. Petersburg). So-called "Mourning Rouble". 27.44 gm. Uzd 628 (R); Sev - unlisted; GM 4. Nice old collection toning. The first issue of Catherine I after the death of Peter the Great. RARE and historic issue Choice VF   1,000. Ex Hans Schulman, New York, October 1974. # 127.

666 Rouble, 1725 СПБ. 28.52 gm Uzd 0633 (S); Sev 718 (S). Toned About VF   175.

667 Rouble, 1725 СПБ. 27.75 gm Uzd 0635 (S); Sev 747 (R). Minor metal flow. Very nice portrait. Lovely toning Choice VF   275.

668 Rouble, 1727. (Moscow). 27.54 gm Uzd 0666; Sev 860 (S). Lustrous About EF / EF   500.

669 Plate Money of 5 Kopecks, 1726 Екатериньбухъ. Novodel. 43.48 by 43.39 mm. 79.61 gm. Uniface. Plain, hand finished edge. Uzd 4067 (R); B 41A (R); KM NP 4. RARE About UNC   1,000. Comes with old collection envelope.

670 5 Kopecks, 1276 (error for 1726) МД. 18.36 gm. Uzd-unlisted; B 12 (R); B 1997 Supplement - rarity upgrated to (RRR); GM 183 (Assez Rare). VERY RARE and popular error coin G / VF   250.

PETER II, 1727-1730

671 Rouble, 1727 (Moscow). 27.68 gm. Uzd 671; Sev 921. Very nice Choice VF   300.

672 Rouble, 1728 (Moscow). 27.17 gm. Uzd 686 (basic type); Sev 966 (R); GM 52 (Assez Rare); Ilyin (6 Rub.). RARE, important and popular variety with misspelled name of the Tzar 'ПЕРТЬ' instead of ПЕТРЬ. Nice old toning Choice VF   400.

673 Rouble, 1729 (Moscow). 28.40 gm. Uzd 690; Sev 1011ff. Lustrous Choice VF   200.

674 Poltina, 1728 (Moscow). 14.12 gm. Uzd 687; Sev 951 (S); GM 92. Lustrous. Lovely toning Choice VF or better   500. Ex Willy Fuchs Sale, Sotheby's, April 25-26. 1996, London. Lot # 147. Brought Ј 440.

ANNA, 1730-1740

675 Ducat, 1740. GOLD. 3.47 gm. Fr 93; Sev 135; Reichel 1847. To Commemorate Empress Anna. VERY RARE Choice EF   1,750.

676 Rouble, 1734 26.07 gm. Uzd 0711 (RR); Sev 1164; GM 102 (Assez Rare). VERY RARE type with a portrait of special design. Nice deep yellow toning Choice VF   400.

677 Rouble, 1734 26.11 gm. Uzd 0718; Sev 1183. Nice old toning About EF   200.

678 Rouble, 1737. 26.07 gm. Portrait and eagle copied by Dmitriev after Hedlinger. Uzd 0730 (S); Sev 1256. Lamination on Rv. Scarce type with one-year eagle design Good VF   200.

679 Rouble, 1737. 25.26 gm. Uzd 0729; Sev 1251. Lamination on Rv About EF   200.

680 Poltina, 1736. 12.58 gm. Uzd 728; Sev 1217. Metal flow on Rv. Light porosity. Old toning About VF   125.

681 Grivennik, 1733. 2.43gm. Uzd 709; Sev 1104. Very nice. Old patina Almost EF   150.

682 5 Kopecks, 1730 МД. 21.92 gm. Uzd 2476; B 40. This is an overstrike on an early issue 5 Kopecks, 1723-1729. The details of the host coin are clearly seen. Nice and very interesting piece Choice VF   75.

683 5 Kopecks, 1730 ДМ. 22.10 gm. Uzd 2476; B 43 (R). Corroded. Mmk and date are absolutely clearly seen. RARE VF   125.

684 5 Kopecks, 1730 ММ. 18.47 gm. Uzd 2478 (S); B 45 (RR). Surface is corroded, otherwise choice for the type. RARE About VF   200.

IVAN III, 1740-1741
685 Poltina, 1741 СПБ. 12.96 gm. Uzd 0763 (RR); Sev 1353 (R). RARE VF   1,250. Ex Giessener Munzhandlung, June 30, 1979, Munchen, Lot # 3168.

686 Grivennik, 1741 ММД. 2.64 gm. Uzd 0769 (S); Sev 1343 (S). Very Scarce, especially this nice. Lustrous. Nice light toning Choice EF   1,000. Ex Willy Fuchs Sale, Sotheby's, April 25-26. 1996, London. Lot # 182. See color plate

ELIZABETH PETROVNA, 1741-1761

687 10 Roubles, 1756 СПБ-BS. GOLD. 16.55gm. Fr 105; Uzd 0085 (R); Sev 217A (R). Full mint lustre. RARE Choice EF   5,000. See color plate

688 Ducat, March 13, 1751. GOLD. 3.40gm. Fr 97; Uzd 66 (R); Sev 156 (R); GM 149. RARE Choice VF   1,500. Ex Munz Zentrьm auction, November 1974, # 1756. Ex Willy Fuchs Sale, Sotheby's, April 25-26. 1996, London. Lot # 193.

689 2 Roubles, 1756 (Moscow). GOLD. 3.20gm. Fr 99; Uzd 4075; Sev 207 (S). Slightly worn at highest points. Very nice Choice, Almost EF   500.

690 2 Roubles, 1756 СПБ. GOLD. 3.24gm. Fr 99; Uzd 4074; Sev 210 (S). RARE with mintage of only 8,712 pcs. This issue of the St. Petersburg mint is commonly confused with the one above, without a mmk. Dig on obv. Otherwise very nice with much original lustre About UNC   650.

691 Rouble, 1756. GOLD. 1.59gm. Fr 100; Uzd 4078; Sev 192 (S). Minor lamination on Rv. Great, fully frosted portrait About UNC / EF   350.

692 Rouble, 1756. GOLD. 1.59gm. Fr 100; Uzd 4078; Sev 194 (S). Uneven flan. Lustrous Choice EF   300.

693 Poltina, 1756. GOLD. 0.82gm. Fr 101; Uzd 4081; Sev 191 (S) About UNC   275.

694 Rouble, 1752 ММД-Е. 24.97gm. Uzd 0843; Sev 1593. Surface flaw by date VF   150.

695 Rouble, 1752 ММД-IШ. 25.60gm. Uzd 0845; Sev 1598 About EF   200. Ex I. Goodman sale, Superior, February 11-12, 1991, Beverly Hills, CA # 293. Ex G. Heiberg sale, Giessener Munzhandlung, October 14, 1997. Munchen, Lot # 507.

696 Rouble, 1754 ММД-МБ. 25.76gm. Uzd 0864; Sev 1633. Nice Almost EF   250.

697 Rouble, 1755 СПБ-ЯI. 24.85gm. Uzd 0873; Sev 1653. A few old scratches in the field. Brilliant, old collection toning EF   300.

698 Rouble, 1755 ММД-МБ. 25.59gm. Uzd 0874; Sev 1648. Nice Choice VF   175.

699 Rouble, 1757 СПБ-ЯI. 25.21gm. Portrait by Dassier. Uzd 0893 (RR): Sev 1686 (RR); Petrov (25 Rubl). A classic Russian Rarity. Lustrous. Lightly toned Good VF   1,800. Ex G. Heiberg sale, Giessener Munzhandlung, October 14, 1997. Munchen, Lot # 542.

700 Rouble, 1761 СПБ-TI-НК. 24.27gm. Uzd 0918 (S): Sev 1734 (S); Petrov (7 Rub.). Scarce last year of reign. Great lustre, nice light toning About EF / EF   400. Ex Swiss Bank Corp, Basel, January 23-25, 1990, # 1724.

701 Poltina, 1748 СПБ. 12.99 gm. Uzd 817 (S); Sev 1528 (S). Attractive rainbow toning. Choice VF or better   275.

702 Polupoltinnik, 1751 ММД. Uzd 838; Sev 1559. Nice old toning Choice VF / EF...75. Ex I. Goodman sale, Superior, February 11-12, 1991, Beverly Hills, CA # 350.

703 Lot of four coins: 5 Kopecks: 1755, 1757, 1758, 1759. All СПБ. Uzd 0880 (S); 0898; 0906; 0911. Sev 1638; 1677; 1692; 1705. 5 Kopecks, 1755 on a large flan Scarce and very nice. All toned (4) 1759 About VF; others Choice VF   125. Ex I. Goodman sale, Superior, February 11-12, 1991, Beverly Hills, CA # 408.

704 2 Kopecks, 1760. 18.08 gm. Uzd 2606 (S); B 105 (R); Petrov (10 Rubl). RARE Good F   100.

LIVONIA-ESTONIA

705 96 Kopecks, 1757. 26.55gm. Uzd 4226 (S); Sev 1765 (R). Lustrous. Lightly toned. RARE Good VF   800. Ex Randolph Zander Ex World Wide Coins of CA, Santa Rosa, May 1, 1997, # 582.

706 2 Kopecks, 1757. 0.95 gm. Uzd 4234; Sev 1754 (S) VF   200.

PETER III, 1762

707 10 Roubles, 1762 СПБ. GOLD. 16.31gm. Fr 109; Uzd 0099 (RR); Sev 247 (RRR). VERY RARE Almost EF to EF   7,500. See color plate

708 Rouble, 1762 СПБ-НК. 23.51gm. Uzd 924 (S); Sev 1882A (R). Nice old collection toning. Light corrosion, but still a very nice and pleasant coin Choice VF / EF   400.

709 Rouble, 1762 СПБ-НК. 24.21gm. Uzd 925 (R); Sev 1881 (R); GM - unlisted. VERY RARE and important variety with lettered edge Choice VF   600.

710 Poltina, 1762 ММД-ДМ. 11.87gm. Uzd 0936 (S); Sev 1873 (R) Good VF   250.