Russia 1885-SP AG ruble Dav-289
This specimen was lot 41462 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Costa Mesa, CA, August 2021), where it sold for $6,600. The catalog description[1] noted, "RUSSIA. Ruble, 1885-CNB AT. St. Petersburg Mint. Alexander III. PCGS MS-64 Gold Shield. An absolutely stunning example of this type, highly scarce in such a fine level of preservation with near-gem surfaces featuring frosty luster and razor-sharp devices. The blast-white centers hold all the way to the rims where deep-iridescent tone is noted, likely from long term safekeeping in its issued bank roll." This type was struck 1859-85 in respectable quantities but not so many as the prior type (Dav-283). Alexander III ruled 1881-94.
Recorded mintage: 500,000.
Specification: 20 g, 0.868 fine silver.
Catalog reference: Dav-292; Bit-46; KM-Y25.
- 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.
- Davenport, John S., European Crowns and Talers, Since 1800, 2nd Ed., London: Spink & Son, 1964.
- Harris, Robert P., Guidebook of Russian Coins, 1725 to 1970, Santa Cruz, CA: Bonanza Press, 1971.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The August 2021 ANA sale: World and Ancient Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2021.
Link to: