Russia 1763-SP YI ruble Dav-1683
This specimen is lot 1647 in UBS sale 84 (Basel, January 2010). The catalog description[1] noted,
"RUSSLAND. Katharina II. 1762-1796. Rubel 1763, St. Petersburg. Gekröntes Brustbild nach rechts. Rv. Gekrönter Doppeladler mit Georgswappen auf der Brust. Sehr schön-gutes sehr schön" (Russia, Catherine II, 1762-96, ruble of 1763, St. Petersburg mint. Obv: crowned bust facing right. Rev: Crowned double-headed eagle bearing a shield depicting St. George slaying the dragon. Very fine to good very fine).
The coinage of Russia of the eighteenth century is a confusing and fascinating subject. This type, issued 1763-82, is fairly common but this date is rare. Catherine the Great began life as an obscure German princess but became czarina after the murder of her husband. The rubles of Peter II were about 28 grams but this type seems to be only 24 grams.
Recorded mintage: 1,817,000 (all varieties).
Specification: 24 g, 0.750 fine silver, .578 troy oz ASW, this specimen: 23,05 grams.
Catalog reference: Bitkin 184, Uzdenikov 945, KM C-67.2, Dav-1683.
- [1]UBS Gold & Numismatics, Auction 84: Gold and Silver Coins, Basel, 2009.
- 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.
- Davenport, John S., European Crowns, 1700-1800, 2nd Ed., London: Spink & Son, 1964.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
Link to: