Russia 1825-SP PD poltina
This specimen was lot 32321 in Heritage sale 3081 (New York, January 2020), where it sold for $18,000. The catalog description[1] noted, "Russia: Exceedingly Rare Prooflike Poltina 1825. Alexander I Poltina (1/2 Rouble) 1825 СПБ ПД MS64* Prooflike NGC, St. Petersburg mint. Narrow crown variety. Obv. Crowned double-headed Imperial eagle, with upright wings, and date below. Rev. Crowned four-line inscription within wreath. The strike is bold and a thin band of russet patina encircles the peripheries on both the obverse and reverse. The fields are deeply mirrored and the devices heavily frosted, yielding nice cameo contrast. A conditionally very rare issue. Only three pieces have been certified by NGC, with none at PCGS, this being the finest certified example. Our research has found only six other pieces auctioned since 2005, the finest being an AU sold on April 13, 2013 by the Russian auction firm Coins and Medals (Auction 80, Lot 268), which brought $16,165. The other 5 all graded VF, or less. A stunning example and, by far, the finest we can reference." This type was struck 1810-26 and is rather expensive in collectible condition. An 1825/4 overdate is recorded for the year.
Recorded mintage: 152,000.
Specification: 10.36 g, 0.868 fine silver, 28.5 mm diameter, lettered edge.
Catalog reference: KM-C129, Bit-183, Sev-2868.
- 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.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [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: