Russia 1804-SP FG 1/4 ruble
This specimen was lot 31283 in Heritage sale 3037 (New York, January 2015), where it sold for $7,343.75. The catalog description[1] noted, "The Finest Certified Alexander I Polupoltinnik (1/4 Rouble) 1804 CПБ-ФГ MS64 NGC, St. Petersburg mint. Obv. Crowned double-headed Imperial eagle in circle with date and value around. Rev. Crowned four-line-inscription in wreath. Fully brilliant luster, with a few light marks, and a touch of gray peripheral toning. A very rare issue, with only two pieces certified in Mint State by NGC and PCGS combined, with none finer than this appealing example." The SCWC records this product of the St. Petersburg mint (СПБ) for 1802-05, with mintmaster FG (ФГ) for 1803-11. The type is much scarcer than the contemporary rubles (Dav-279). The denomination was terminated in 1810, to be superseded by the twenty-five kopeks in 1827.
Recorded mintage: 168,000.
Specification: 4.14 g, 0.868 fine silver.
Catalog reference: Bitkin-55 (R), KM-C121.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- 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.
- [1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Warren Tucker and Scott Cordry, Heritage Signature Auction 3037, featuring the Empire, the Santa Catarina, the Law and the Santa Maria Collections, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2014.
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