Russia 1741-MMA 10 kopeks
The first specimen was lot 21481 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Philadelphia, August 2018), where it sold for $1,440. The catalog description[1] noted, "RUSSIA. 10 Kopeks, 1741-MMD. Ivan VI (1740-41). PCGS FINE-12 Secure Holder. Light gray colored with a single mark behind Ivan's bust, but otherwise wholesome surfaces. An affordable example of this elusive, highly coveted issue." The coinage of Russia of the eighteenth century is a confusing and fascinating subject. Many ruble types were issued only briefly and can be dated even if they don't bear dates. This type, issued 1741 only, is very rare. The second specimen was lot 612 in Künker sale 400 (Berlin, February 2024), where it sold for €11,000 (about US$14,270 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[2] noted,
"RUSSLAND, KAISERREICH, Ivan III. 1740-1741. 10 Kopeken (Grivennik) 1741, Moskau, Roter Münzhof. Brustbild r. mit Lorbeerkranz, umgelegtem Mantel und Andreasorden//Gekrönte, mit Lorbeerzweigen verzierte Kartusche, darin zwei Zeilen Schrift über Jahreszahl. In US-Plastikholder der NGC mit der Bewertung MS 61 (6640616-015). RR Feiner Prägeglanz, vorzüglich. (empire of Russia, Ivan III, 1740-41, ten kopeks or grivennik of 1741, Moscow, Red Mint. Obverse: laureate and mantled bust with the Order of St. Andrew; reverse: two line inscription over the date on an ornate cartouche, laurel branches around. Graded NGC MS61, very rare, sharp strike, extremely fine.)"
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 2.59 g, 0.750 fine silver.
Catalog reference: KM-205; Bit-9. The second specimen is Bitkin 12 (R1); Diakov 7.
- [1]Ponterio, Richard, Kyle Ponterio and Chris Chatigny, The August 2018 Philadelphia ANA Auction: World Coins and Selections from the El Dorado Collection of Colombian Coins, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2018.
- Bitkin, Vladimir, Composite Catalogue of Russian Coins, Part II (1740-1917), Kiev: Moneta, 2003.
- Harris, Robert P., Guidebook of Russian Coins, 1725 to 1970, Santa Cruz, CA: Bonanza Press, 1971.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- [2]Künker, Fritz Rudolf, Horst-Rudiger Künker, Ulrich Künker and Andreas Kaiser, Katalog 400: Selected löser of the Dukes of Guelph from the Friedrich Popken Collection | Numismatic treasures from the Medieval and Modern Times, a. o. "multiple portraits" from a Westphalian private collection, Osnabrück: Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co., AG, 2024.
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