Russia (1682-89) ducat Fr-58
This specimen was lot 54289 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2024), where it sold for $57,600. The catalog description[1] noted, "RUSSIA. Chervonetz (Ducat), ND (1682-89). Uncertain Mint. Ivan V & Peter I "the Great", with Sophia Alekseyevna as Regent. NGC Unc Details--Holed. Crowned and mantled facing busts of Ivan and Peter; imperial eagle above; Reverse: Crowned and mantled bust of Sophia Alekseyevna facing slightly left, holding scepter. Despite its holed nature, this specimen presents an INCREDIBLY RARE opportunity for an original striking of this emission issued during the minority of Ivan V and his younger half-brother, the future Peter I "the Great." Somewhat crude in both strike and flan shape, this charming example evokes the somewhat caricatured portrait coinage of the middle period in the Byzantine Empire, on which much Slavic art would have been heavily influenced. From the Rothschild-Piatigorsky Collection." The coinage of Russia prior to the reforms of Peter the Great is so rare as to be uncollectible, with a few exceptions, such as the jefimoks and the silver kopeks called "wire money". This ducat of Sophia is not listed in the SCWC, which does mention a ducat of her brother Fedor III (Fr-43). The second specimen was lot 32253 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2025), where it sold for $14,400. The catalog description[2] noted, "Exceptional Novodel Ducat of Sofia in Near-Gem Quality, RUSSIA. Gold Ducat Novodel, ND ("1682-89") (ca. 19th Century). Sofia as Regent, with Ivan V and Pet[er] l "the Great". NGC MS-64. A stunning Novodel featuring a crowned Sophia holding a scepter on the obverse and an intriguing dual bust portraiture of Ivan V and Peter I on the reverse. This alluring Novodel a bold and sharp strike quality, with entrancing and vibrant luster, with brightly lustrous fields and charmingly frosted devices. A stunning example of a seldom encountered Russian type, our first offering since 2010."
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 3.47 g, 0.986 fine gold, the first specimen 3.48 g.
Catalog reference: Fr-58. The second specimen is Fr-58a; Kaim-1857.
- 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.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, January 2024 NYINC Auction, featuring the Emilio M Ortiz Collection and a Symphony of Russian Rarities, the Rothschild-Piatigorsky Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.
- [2]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, January 2025 NYINC Showcase Auction, featuring the Richard Margolis Collection, Part III, and the Richard August Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2024.
Link to:
- 16(54) ¼ ducat, gold wire money
- (1682-96) gold kopek, novodel
- Russia 1686 chekh, Sophia as Regent for Ivan & Peter
- Coins and currency dated 1682