Russia 1889-AG ruble Dav-292
This specimen was lot 349 in Sincona Auction 99 (Zürich, October 2025), where it sold for 9,000 CHF (about US$13,565 including buyers' fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"RUSSLAND Kaiserreich und Föderation, Alexander III. 1881-1894, Rouble 1889, St. Petersburg Mint, AG. Portrait of the 1888-1891 pattern = small head. Sehr selten, Very rare. 8 roubles according to Ilyin. 12 roubles according to Petrov. Very rare, especially in this condition. Gutes vorzüglich, About Uncirculated. Rarest date of this type with a mintage of only 1,002 specimen[s]."
This date is from a type struck 1886-94. The type must have been subjected to extensive melting as all dates are rare. In 1886, the ruble was reduced to 20 grams after having been fixed at 20.73 grams since 1798. Mintmaster AG was Appolon Grasgov.
Recorded mintage: 1,002.
Specification: 20 g, 0.900 fine silver, this specimen 19.81 g.
Catalog reference: KM Y46, Bitkin 72 (R2). Dav-292.
- 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]Richter, Jurg, SINCONA Auction 99: Russian Coins and Medals, Zurich: SINCONA AG, 2025.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
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