Russia 1778-SP FL ruble Dav-1685
The first specimen was lot 36276 in Heritage sale 3038 (Dallas, January 2015), where it sold for $881.25. The catalog description[1] noted, "Catherine II Rouble 1778 AU58 PCGS, St. Petersburg mint. Mature portrait of the Czarina. With golden toning and essentially no wear. A premium example." The second specimen was lot 334 in Sincona sale 78 (Zürich, October 2022), where it sold for 160 CHF (about US$192 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[2] noted, "RUSSIA | Russian Empire and Federation | Catherine II. 1762-1796, Rouble 1778, St. Petersburg Mint, SPB OA. 2.5 roubles according to Petrov. About very fine. Edge flaw." The coinage of Russia of the eighteenth century is a confusing and fascinating subject. This type, issued 1763-82, is fairly common as is this date. 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 is only 24 grams.
Recorded mintage: 1,700,000.
Specification: 24 g, 0.750 fine silver, the second specimen is 24.00 g.
Catalog reference: Dav-1685, Bitkin 226, KM C67b.
- 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.
- [1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Warren Tucker and David Michaels, Heritage Signature Auction 3037, featuring the Empire, the Santa Catarina, the Law and the Santa Maria Collections, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2014.
- [2]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 78, Russian Coins and Medals, The Grigoriy Stakhorsky Collection, Part 1 and other Properties, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2022.
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