Russia 1866-SP SS 5 rubles
This specimen was lot 1219 in Sincona sale 93 (Zürich, October 2024), where it sold for 34,000 CHF (about US$47,124 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"RUSSLAND Kaiserreich und Föderation, Alexander II. 1855-1881, 5 Roubles 1866, St. Petersburg Mint, SPB SSh. Seltener Jahrgang und sehr selten in dieser Erhaltung, Prachtexemplar, Rare date and very rare in this condition. PCGS MS65+, Cabinet piece."
This type is listed for 1859-85 and is fairly common in circulated condition. The SCWC does not award this date a premium; this example sold for 27 times the catalog value. In 1886, the standard was revised to match the French twenty francs d'or, resulting in a weight reduction to .186 troy oz (see KM Y42).
Recorded mintage: 3,900,000 (including assayer HI).
Specification: 6.54 g, 0.917 fine gold.
Catalog reference: KM YB26, Bitkin 13 (R1), Fr-163.
- 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.
- 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.
- Harris, Robert P., Guidebook of Russian Coins, 1725 to 1970, Santa Cruz, CA: Bonanza Press, 1971.
- [1]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 93: Russian Coins and Medals, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2024.
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