Russia 1748 ducat Fr-113
This specimen was lot 30238 in Heritage sale 3029 (New York, January 2014), where it sold for $39,656.25. The catalog description[1] noted, "Highly Desirable Russian Rarity Elizabeth Gold Ducat 1748, Moscow mint, XF40 NGC. Obv. Crowned bust right. Rev. Crowned double-headed Imperial eagle with orb and scepter. This exceedingly rare, one-year type is struck on a slightly uneven flan, with no significant flaws. Elizabeth, the daughter of Peter the Great, ascended to the throne by coup and, during her 20 year reign, accomplished such notable tasks such as helping to establish the University of Moscow, creating a state theater and outlawing the death penalty. Ex: 'Colonel' E.H.R. Green; Green Estate' Partnership of Eric P Newman / B.G. Johnson." The Russian regime minted ducats on numerous occasions during the eighteenth century but always in small quantities. Survivors are today rare.
Recorded mintage: 17,000.
Specification: 3.47 g, 0.986 fine gold.
Catalog reference: Fr-113, Bitkin 6 (R1), Diakov 181 (R1), Ilyin (20 Rubles), Petrov (25 Rubles), KM C30.1.
- 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.
- [1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Stuart Levine and Bruce Lorich, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3029, featuring Selections from the Eric P. Newman Collection, Part III, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2013.
- 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.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
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