Russia 1869-SP HI 3 rubles
This specimen was lot 40367 in Ponterio sale 168 (Philadelphia, August 2012), where it sold for $4,600. The catalog description[1] noted, "RUSSIA. 3 Rubles, 1869-CNB HI. NGC MS-63." The second specimen was lot 21506 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Philadelphia, August 2018), where it sold for $5,400. The catalog description[2] noted, "RUSSIA. 3 Ruble, 1869-CNB HI. NGC MS-65. A stunning Gem of this elusive denomination, bathed in rich orange gold tone and displaying sparkling luster over both sides. Unsurpassed in grade in the NGC census." This type is listed for 1869-85 and is fairly common in circulated condition. It superseded a platinum three rubles of 1828-45. In 1886, the five rubles was revised to match the French twenty francs d'or, resulting in a weight reduction to .186 troy oz, and the three rubles was terminated.
Recorded mintage: 143,000.
Specification: 3.92 g, 0.917 fine gold, .115 troy oz AGW.
Catalog reference: Fr-164; KM Y-26; Bit-31.
- 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, Ponterio sale 168: The Official ANA Auction, Irvine, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2012.
- [2]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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