Russia 1761-SP HK ruble Dav-1681
This specimen was lot 217 in Sincona sale 12 (Zürich, October 2013), where it sold for 65,000 CHF (about US$84,071 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted, "Rouble 1761, St. Petersburg Mint, HK. Rare. 3 roubles acc. to Iljin. 5 roubles according to Trapeznikov. Cabinet piece. Most attractive specimen in brilliant uncirculated condition with mint lustre." This type was issued from St. Petersburg (shown here) and Moscow (KM C-19c.1) and is fairly common. This date is scarce. The coinage of Russia of the eighteenth century is a confusing and fascinating subject. The massive portrait of the empress can only have been drawn from life. The rubles of Peter I were about 28 grams but shrank to 20 grams by the end of the reign of Catherine the Great.
Recorded mintage: 391,000 (all mintmasters).
Specification: 25.85 g, 0.802 fine silver, this specimen 26.25 g.
Catalog reference: Dav-1681; Bitkin 294 (R). Severin 1733, KM-C19c.4.
- Davenport, John S., European Crowns, 1700-1800, 2nd Ed., London: Spink & Son, 1964.
- Bitkin, Vladimir, Composite Catalogue of Russian Coins, Part II (1740-1917), Kiev: Moneta, 2003.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- Harris, Robert P., Guidebook of Russian Coins, 1725 to 1970, Santa Cruz, CA: Bonanza Press, 1971.
- [1]Auktion 12: the SINCONA Collection, part 2, Zürich: Sincona AG, 2013.
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