Moldavia and Wallachia 1773 2 para
This specimen was lot 30667 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Chicago, August 2022), where it sold for $1,200. The catalog description[1] noted, "RUSSIA. Moldova & Wallachia. 2 Para (3 Kopeks), 1773. Sadogura Mint. Catherine II (the Great). NGC AU-55. Russo-Turkish War issue. A popular type accounting to the history behind this piece, examples simply do not survive in the condition. Nice details remain, with a general attractive brown color to the surfaces. Some slight porosity and roughness to the surfaces is noticed, though these faults are somewhat marginal. Altogether, an impressive specimen. From the Sigma Collection." The Russians invaded and occupied Moldavia and Wallachia several times in the eighteenth century. This occupation issue was accompanied by a one para (1½ kopeks, KM C2), also made from melted down cannons. Turkey and Russia contended for these provinces thru most of the nineteenth century until they were finally set up as the independent state of Romania.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 22.23 g, bronze.
Catalog reference: KM-C3; Bit-1249; Dia-1132.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- Bitkin, Vladimir, Composite Catalogue of Russian Coins, Part II (1740-1917), Kiev: Moneta, 2003.
- Brekke, B. F., The Copper Coinage of Imperial Russia, 1700-1917, New York, Galerie des Monnaies, 1977, with 1987 supplement.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The 2022 ANA Auction - Ancients & World Coins - Featuring The Salton Collection Part III, the Augustana Collection and the Robert C. Knepper Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2022.
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