Russia 1889-AG 10 rubles
This specimen was lot 32323 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2025), where it sold for $28,800. The catalog description[1] noted, "Stunning Near-Choice Key Date 10 Rubles, RUSSIA. 10 Rubles, 1889-(AT). St. Petersburg Mint. Alexander III. PCGS MS-62. An EXTREMELY RARE date, this 10 Rubles offers commendable condition, with rich lustrous eye appeal and sharp details throughout. Limited signs of handling are seen, with no major faults or flaws spotted, leaving this a premium piece for the specialist in Russian coinage seeking to fill a major hole in their collection. Only one example is certified as finer by PCGS, highlighting its importance conditionally." This type was struck 1886-94 and all dates are rare. It is likely that most were melted down, unreleased, when the price of gold rose again. The weight standard is that of an old French forty francs. Initials АГ stand for mintmaster Apollon Grasgof.
Recorded mintage: 343,002.
Specification: 12.90 g, 0.900 fine gold, 24.6 mm diameter, edge letted "ЧИСТАГО ЗОЛОТА 2 ЗОЛОТНИКА 69,36 ДОЛЕЙ А • Г".
Catalog reference: Fr-167; KM-YA42; Bit-18 (R).
- 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.
- 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.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, January 2025 NYINC Showcase Auction, featuring the Richard Margolis Collection, Part III, and the Richard August Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2024.
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