Russia 1876-SP 25 rubles
This specimen was lot 54358 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2024), where it sold for $240,000. The catalog description[1] noted, "RUSSIA. 25 Rubles, 1876-CNB. St. Petersburg Mint. Alexander II. NGC Proof Details--Removed from Jewelry. More medallic in nature, this special emission was meant to honor the 30th birthday of Alexander's third son, the Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich, and was struck in very limited quantities. On account of this small output, it remains an EXCEEDINGLY RARE and always-desired specimen, no matter the minor edge issues as noted here. Only a few other larger-format gold denominations rival it in size and pageantry--with the other three all occurring during the reign of Nicholas II. Furthermore, this impressive forerunner also features the smallest mintage among the four. Pale gold in hue throughout and with all design facets well presented, this tantalizing stunner no doubt offers a tremendous opportunity for a specimen that has been off from the market for over eight decades--a period longer than it had been extant when last changing hands. From the Rothschild-Piatigorsky Collection. Purchased from Art Trading Company, 22 April 1939, for $306." The auctioneers are likely correct in calling this rare issue semi-medallic as it does not bear assayer's initials and the denomination was not used again until 1896 (Fr-171), which was also semi-medallic in nature.
Recorded mintage: 100.
Specification: 32.72 g, 0.917 fine gold, .964 troy oz AGW.
Catalog reference: Fr-162; KM-Y27; Bit-565 (R3).
- 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.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, January 2024 NYINC Auction, featuring the Emilio M Ortiz Collection and a Symphony of Russian Rarities, the Rothschild-Piatigorsky Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.
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