Russia 1833-SP 12 rubles
This specimen was lot 21497 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Philadelphia, August 2018), where it sold for $33,600. The catalog description[1] noted,
"RUSSIA. 12 Ruble, 1833-CПБ. St. Petersburg Mint. NGC AU-55. VERY RARE as a type, with this date having an original mintage of only 255 pieces, and among the most desirable of all Russian issues due to its platinum composition and grand size. This example, entirely pleasing for the assigned About Uncirculated grade, is the epitome of wholesome, with bright reflective gleam retained throughout the fields and handling that, while present, is evenly distributed, which minimizes the visual impact. Slight highpoint softening contributes minimally to the appearance as the initial strike was quite bold. All considered, a fantastic opportunity for the collector of elite type issues. Ex: Christie's sale, September 10, 1988, Lot #294 (tag included)."
This type was struck 1830-45 and is the rarest and most glamorous of the platinum denominations of three, six and twelve rubles. So far as is known, Russia is the only country ever to attempt to strike platinum for circulation with this series issued 1829-45. The experiment was not a success as the metal is as hard as nickel, making it difficult to strike, and its price kept dropping relative to gold, discounting the value of the coin. In fact, platinum was used extensively by counterfeiters in the nineteenth century to make fake gold coins as the metal has nearly the same density.
Recorded mintage: 255.
Specification: 41.41 g, platinum.
Catalog reference: Fr-158; C-179; Bit-42.
- 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.
- 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]Ponterio, Richard, Kyle Ponterio and Chris Chatigny, The August 2018 Philadelphia ANA Auction: World Coins and Selections from the El Dorado Collection of Colombian Coins, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2018.
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