Belarus 1996 ruble KM-31
This specimen was lot 73069 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, February 2022), where it sold for $1,195. The catalog description[1] noted, "BELARUS. Ruble, 1996. Llantrisant Mint. NGC PROOF-69 Ultra Cameo. 50th anniversary of the United Nations. A truly engrossing piece, this RARELY encountered specimen puts off supreme eye appeal with the great contrast between mirrored fields and frosted devices. Worthy of a premium bid." Belarus, formerly the Byelorussian S.S.R. of the Soviet Union, declared independence from Russia in 1990, after the collapse of Communism. Alexander Lukashenko was elected president in 1994 and has ruled the country since, most recently as a henchman of Vladimir Putin. This NCLT was also struck in silver and copper-nickel plus KM 7 and KM 8 for the Olympics.
Recorded mintage: 5,000.
Specification: 8.71 g, 0.917 fine gold, 22.05 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: Fr-2a; KM-31.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The February 2022 World Collectors Choice Online Auction - Ancients & World Coins, Featuring Selections from the Kings Norton Mint Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2022.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
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