Russia 1721 2 rubles Fr-91
This specimen was lot 1945 in Jean Elsen sale 125 (Brussels, June 2015), where it sold for €6,000 (about US$7,982 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"RUSSIE, Pierre le Grand (1689-1725), AV 2 roubles, 1721. D/ B. l., dr. et cuir. à d. R/ Saint André deb. de f., ten. sa croix. Rare Fines traces d'ajustage Très Beau. (Russia, Peter the Great (1689-1725), gold two rubles of 1721. Obverse: armored, draped and laureate bust to right; reverse: St. Andrew holding a cross. Rare, fine adjustment marks, very fine.)"
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, this specimen 4,09 g.
Catalog reference: Bitkin 122-133; Uzd. 33; Fr-91.
- 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]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 125: Collections Dr. Jacques Marneffe, Jean-Marie Chouters et Henri Pottier, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils, S.A., 2015.
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