Russia 1769-SP 10 rubles
This specimen was lot 31162 in Heritage sale 3081 (New York, January 2020), where it sold for $3,600. The catalog description[1] noted, "Russia: Catherine II gold 10 Roubles 1769-СПБ AU Details (Scratch) PCGS, St. Petersburg mint, A notoriously rare and highly sought-after gold type of Catherine the Great that typically only survives in heavily worn states or previously having been used in jewelry. While a scratch is noted beneath Catherine's chin and on the reverse, the overall detailing, particularly in the legends, is comparatively strong for the issue, with alluring eye appeal on the whole." This type was struck 1766-76 and superseded the ten rubles of the Czarina Elizabeth which were 16.59 grams.
Recorded mintage: 80,000, a common date for a rare type.
Specification: 13.08 g, 0.917 fine gold, .385 troy oz AGW.
Catalog reference: Fr-129a, KM-C79a, Bit-22 (R), Petrov 22 Rub.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- 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.
- 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]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3081, featuring the Caranett Collection, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2019.
Link to: