Russia 1801-SP AI ruble KM-Pn54
This specimen was lot 32275 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2025), where it sold for $96,000. The catalog description[1] noted, "Very Rare Silver Novodel Ruble of Alexander I, RUSSIA. Silver Ruble Pattern Novodel, 1801-CNB AI. St. Petersburg (Banking) Mint. Alexander I. PCGS SPECIMEN-58. Plain edge. A VERY RARE novodel striking and one of only a handful certified, none of which have been graded higher. The obverse is characterized by a long die crack stretching from rim to rim, bisecting the "long neck" portrait of the emperor. Bright silvery-white, the surfaces bounding with watery luster and overall presenting as exceedingly close to Mint State, with only the barest hint of dullness on the highest points of the hair and cheek." A number of patterns were struck for Alexander I at the beginning of his reign including several portrait rubles such as the one shown here. The design eventually adopted in 1802 had the double headed eagle on the obverse and a legend reverse (Dav-279).
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 20.73 g, 0.868 fine silver, .578 troy oz ASW.
Catalog reference: KM Pn54, Bit-H645 (R2).
- Bitkin, Vladimir, Composite Catalogue of Russian Coins, Part II (1740-1917), Kiev: Moneta, 2003.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, January 2025 NYINC Showcase Auction, featuring the Richard Margolis Collection, Part III, and the Richard August Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2024.
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