Russia 1886-AG 5 rubles
This specimen was lot 21436 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Anaheim, CA, August 2016), where it sold for $111,625. The catalog description[1] noted, "RUSSIA. 5 Ruble, 1886-AT. PCGS PROOF-64 CAMEO Secure Holder. Long Beard variety. Smooth edge and without assayer initials. Population of two at this level with two graded finer at PCGS, and with none seen in proof at NGC. First year of the Alexander III portrait coinage and a VERY RARE issue in PROOF. A tantalizing coin with deep concave obverse fields producing a nearly high relief portrait of the Tsar. The CAMEO effect is immediately evident with the fields exhibiting dark icy surfaces in contrast to the finely frosted devices and legends. The piece clearly shows off the world class state of technology employed at the Saint Petersburg mint at the time of its manufacture, with every last detail all the way down to the denticles fully delineated. An important and highly desirable coin that is sure to spark considerable interest. From the Kiev Collection. Ex: Stack's CICF March 1988 Sale, Lot #2203." This type is listed for 1886-94 and matches the French twenty francs d'or. Prior types (1817-85, including KM YB26) were 6.54 g, 0.917 fine gold and the five rubles of Nicholas II (KM Y62) were 4.30 g, 0.900 fine gold. In fact, the 7½ rubles of Nicholas II (KM Y63) matches this coin in weight.
Recorded mintage: 351,000.
Specification: 6.45 g, 0.900 fine gold, .186 troy oz AGW.
Catalog reference: Fr-168; Y-42; Bit-24; Sev-528(VERY RARE).
- 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.
- 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.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Ponterio, Richard, The August 2016 Anaheim ANA Auction: Ancient Coins, World Coins & Paper Money, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2016.
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