Russia 1896-AG 10 rubles
This specimen was lot 42717 in Stack's Bowers Summer 2026 Global Showcase Auction (Pittsburgh, September 2026), where it sold for $536,800. The catalog description[1] noted,
"Sole Finest Certified 10 Rubles Pattern of 1896, RUSSIA. Gold 10 Rubles (Imperial) Pattern, 1896-AT. St. Petersburg Mint. Nicholas II. NGC PROOF-63 Cameo. An EXTREMELY RARE Pattern 10 Rubles, representing the second date in a brief three-year series of Pattern issues with the denomination dually written as an "Imperial" and "Gold 10 Rubles". Though the reported mintage for this Pattern type is listed as 125 in Bitkin, it would seem that far fewer examples have survived, accounting for the granting of the highest level of rarity by Severin. A mere 8 examples have been certified between NGC and PCGS, not accounting for resubmissions. Of these, the present piece stands as the sole finest certified and only specimen to achieve both a Choice and Cameo grade. As such, this offering presents a perhaps nonpareil chance to acquire an example of this illustrious RARITY in this lofty condition. The full production capabilities of the St. Petersburg Mint are readily apparent upon the present coin, the rims fully squared and matte-like devices leaping from the fields with shimmering frost, the fields themselves slightly concave and mirror-like, with wonderful watery reflectivity throughout. An incomparable opportunity for the advanced collector in the Russian series, or for those seeking the most elusive of world gold issues. From the Charles “Cheech” Litman Collection."
This type was struck 1895-97 to the standard of an old French forty francs. The assayer's initials are on the edge. It is listed as KM Pn148 and KM YA63 but is rare and expensive either way. In 1898, the weight was reduced to 8.60 g (KM Y64).
Recorded mintage: 125.
Specification: 12.90 g, 0.900 fine gold, 24.6 mm diameter, edge lettered ЧИСТАГО ЗОЛОТА 2 ЗОЛОТНИКА 69,36 ДОЛЕЙ (А • Г).
Catalog reference: Fr-173; KM-Pn148; Bit-318 (R3); Sev-554 (RRRR).
- 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.
- 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.
- Harris, Robert P., Guidebook of Russian Coins, 1725 to 1970, Santa Cruz, CA: Bonanza Press, 1971.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, Summer 2026 Global Showcase Auction, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2026.
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