Russia 1850-SP PA ruble Dav-283
This specimen was lot 1553 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2022), where it sold for $18,000. The catalog description[1] noted, "Immaculate Gem Quality 1850 Ruble, RUSSIA. Ruble, 1850-CNB NA. St. Petersburg Mint. Nicholas I. NGC MS-66. A coin that is destined to wow all lovers of beauty, this Ruble effortlessly reflects any light that comes into contact with the surfaces, giving a cartwheel that would make the best Russian gymnast proud. Perfectly impressed details inhere to the argent and frosty planchet that beams with a luster nearly uninterrupted. Some dark toning is closely held by the reverse wreath that yields to a slight overall golden tinge when this Gem is held at an angle to the light. The finest certified by NGC, it is a masterclass in beauty." This type was struck 1832-58 in large quantities but is today very rare in nice condition. The preceding type (Dav-282) is very similar but with a "wings down" eagle.
Recorded mintage: 1,600,000.
Specification: 20.73 g, 0.868 fine silver.
Catalog reference: KM-C168.1; Bit-226; Dav-283.
- 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.
- Davenport, John S., European Crowns and Talers, Since 1800, 2nd Ed., London: Spink & Son, 1964.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The 2022 NYINC Sale: World and Ancient Coins, featuring the Mark and Lottie Salton Collection and the Pat Johnson Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2021.
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