Kiev (1362-94) denga
This specimen was lot 3254 in Steve Album Auction 51 (Santa Rosa, CA, January 2025), where it sold for $960. The catalog description[1] noted, "RUSSIA: PRINCIPALITY OF KIEV: temp. Vladimir Olgerdovich, 1362-1394, AR denga, imitation of Golden Horde dirham of Jani Beg of the Gulistan Mint, first series (ca. early 1370s, average weight about 1.2g to 1.5g), superb strike, XF, R1, ex Jim Farr Collection. There are no examples of the 1st series recorded on CoinArchives and probably none on Zeno." Numista depicts several dengas of this ruler from later in his reign (after 1390) and they are much lighter. The denga later became a copper coin worth half a kopek. Vladimir himself was a vassal of grand duke Vytautas of Lithuania, which at that time extended to the Black Sea and included Kiev.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specifications: 2 g, silver, 23 mm diameter, this specimen 1.14 g.
Catalog reference: HP-6121D.
- [1]Album, Stephen, Joseph Lang, Paul Montz, Michael Barry and Norman Douglas Nicol, Auction 51, featuring the Howard Daniel III Collection of Asian Coins, the Almer H. Orr III Collection of World Coins and the Joe Sedillot Collection of German Coins, Santa Rosa, CA: Stephen Album Rare Coins, Inc., 2024.
Links:
- Russia 1547 kopek, Ivan the Terrible
- Coins and currency dated 1362