Russia 1720 2 rubles Fr-91
The first specimen was lot 1239 in Stack's Bowers ANA auction (Chicago, August 2014), where it sold for $5,875. The catalog description[1] noted, "RUSSIA. 2 Ruble, 1720. Peter I (the Great) (1689-1725). PCGS MS-64 Secure Holder. Exceptional Peter the Great Gold 2 Ruble Palm on breast plate. Only four mint state examples of this date are presently certified by both PCGS and NGC. This example is currently the finest graded at PCGS and tied for finest overall graded, with a sole example by NGC. Struck on a nice problem-free planchet, which is somewhat unusual for this series as many coins of this type are problematic with planchet flaws and defects. A remarkably choice example for this type with good color, original luster and a sharp strike." The second specimen was lot 54290 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2024), where it sold for $60,000. The catalog description[2] noted,
"RUSSIA. Gold 2 Rubles, 1720/18. Moscow (Red) Mint. Peter I "the Great". NGC MS-62. Variety with undivided date. Quite well centered and struck, this example features half of the outer border on the obverse, and the entirety of the outer border on the reverse, further attesting to its centering. All design elements remain rather sharp, with the prior "8" beneath the final digit of the date clear as well. Bitkin only cites two line items with the undivided date, as is the case here, with the balance of the 1720 emission displaying a divided date. As such, the present piece represents a RARE opportunity at an important and seldom encountered variant. From the Rothschild-Piatigorsky Collection."
The third specimen was lot 54291 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2024), where it sold for $120,000. The catalog description[2] noted, "RUSSIA. Gold 2 Rubles, 1720. Moscow (Red) Mint. Peter I "the Great". NGC MS-65. The sole finest graded example of the date in the NGC census, this tantalizing representative offers a crisp, clear portrait of the famous czar along with a somewhat stylized standing figure of the St. Andrew along with his saltire cross. Extremely well centered and struck, with a golden-orange nature further accenting the devices. For the connoisseur and advanced collector of the series, it is difficult to imagine a superior or even equivalent example being available anytime soon, making this opportunity one which simply cannot be missed. As such, VERY RARE and extremely important. From the Rothschild-Piatigorsky Collection." This type is listed for 1718 and 1720-25 and is rare. The two rubles was reduced to 3.47 g in 1726 and to 3.24 g in 1756. Issues were intermittent and the denomination was abandoned after 1785.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 4.10 g, .781 fine gold.
Catalog reference: Fr-91; KM-158.5; Bit-101; Dia-21; Sev-62. the second specimen is Fr-91; KM-158.1; Bit-80 (overdate not mentioned); the third specimen is Fr-91; KM-158.5; Bit-97.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- Bitkin, Vladimir, Composite Catalogue of Russian Coins, Part I (1699-1740), Kiev: Moneta, 2003.
- 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.
- [1]Ponterio, Richard, The August 2014 Chicago ANA Auction: Ancient Coins, World Coins & Paper Money, Featuring the David O'Harrow Collection, Irvine, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2014.
- [2]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.
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