Russia (1547-84) denga
The first specimen was lot 3273 in Steve Album Auction 53 (Santa Rosa, CA, September 2025), where it sold for $390. The catalog description[1] noted, "RUSSIA: Ivan IV 'the Terrible', 1547-1584, AR denga, Tver Mint, horseman riding right, brandishing sword // KNSb / BELÏKI / IBAN ("Grand Prince Ivan"), beautiful luster with light toning, a fantastic mint state example, PCGS graded MS63." The second specimen was lot 3275 in Steve Album Auction 53 (Santa Rosa, CA, September 2025), where it sold for $110. The catalog description[1] noted, "RUSSIA: Ivan IV 'the Terrible', 1547-1584, AR denga, Moscow Mint, horseman riding right, brandishing sword // KNSb / BELIKI / IBAN ("Grand Prince Ivan"), toned light luster, PCGS graded MS62." This style of coin, which was struck in various parts of Russia for several centuries in imitation of Mongol and Khazar issues, was made by beating lengths of silver wire flat and then striking them. Dengas and kopeks were made this way until the reforms of Peter the Great substituted round copper coins for these denominations. Neither example shows a mintmark, which was usual for these; in addition, the Moscow specimen is lacking a hat on the rider's head.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 0.34 g, silver.
Catalog reference: the first specimen HP-8272B (could be KG# 70, GKH# 96, GKH2# 99), the second specimen HP-8262A (could be KG# 50, GKH# 64, GKH2# 69).
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- [1]Album, Stephen, Joseph Lang, Paul Montz, Michael Barry and Hanbing Feng, Auction 53, featuring Selections from the Dr. Robert A. Rosenfeld, Almer H. Orr III, Dr. Dirk Loer and Joe Sedillot Collections, Santa Rosa, CA: Stephen Album Rare Coins, Inc., 2025.
Link to:
- Kiev (1362-94) denga Vladimir Olgerdovich
- Russia 1547 kopek, Ivan the Terrible
- Russia (1561-84) kopek Pskov mint, Ivan the Terrible
- Coins and currency dated 1547