Russia 1883-SP DS 3 rubles
This specimen was lot 31299 in Heritage sale 3089 (Dallas, TX, January 2021), where it sold for $31,200. The catalog description[1] noted, "Russia. Alexander III gold Proof 3 Roubles 1883 СПБ-ДC PR63 Cameo NGC, St. Petersburg mint. An exquisitely rare Proof striking, and one which appears with such great infrequence that to call the opportunity to acquire one coveted would not be to quite do it justice--indeed, a Proof example of this date was altogether missing from the Goodman, Hesselgesser, and Sincona collections. Well-struck to say the least, the fields appear brightly mirrored with a greenish-gold patina, the strike on the whole executed to pinpoint precision, with every detail of the Romanov eagle painstakingly crafted against the surrounding features. Presently one of a mere 3 Proofs of this date that have been certified by NGC, none having been seen by PCGS, and one of only two to be awarded a Cameo designation." 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 It superseded a platinum three rubles of 1828-45.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: 9,007 (including a few with assayer AГ).
Specification: 3.92 g, 0.917 fine gold.
Catalog reference: KM-Y26, Fr-166, Bit-11 (R), Sev-518.
- 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]Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, Heritage Auction 3089: NYINC World & Ancient Coins Platinum & Signature Auction - Dallas, featuring the Cape Coral Collection of European Crowns and the Penn Collection, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2020.
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