Russia 1989 25 rubles Fr-183

Stack's Bowers November 2015 sale, lot 39631

photo courtesy Stack's Bowers LLC

This specimen was lot 39631 in Stack's Bowers Winter sale (Baltimore, November 2015), where it sold for $705. The catalog description^[1] noted, "RUSSIA. 25 Ruble, 1989. Ballet Series. NGC MS-69. Palladium. Excellent luster given the underlying metal. Quite attractive." Palladium was promoted in the late eighties and early nineties as a precious metal alternate to the more costly gold and platinum. Russia issued three ballet themed one ounce pieces in 1989, 1990 and 1991.

Recorded mintage: 27,000 plus proofs.

Specification: 31.10 g, 0.999 fine palladium, .992 troy oz AGW.

Catalog reference: Fr-B8 or Fr-183; KM Y-231.

Source:

• ^[1]Ponterio, Richard, and Todd McKenna, The November 2015 Baltimore Auction, World Coins and Paper Money, featuring the Ray Czabor Collection and selections from the Strong Museum, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2015.
• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
• 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.

Link to:

• 1988 25 rubles, millennium of Christianity in Russia
• 1989 50 rubles, 500th anniversary of the Russian state
• 1989 100 rubles, 500th anniversary of the United Russian State
• 1990 10 rubles, ballerina, palladium
• 1990 palladium 25 rubles
• 1990 25 rubles, Sailing ship "St. Pavel"
• Coins and currency dated 1989
• return to coins of Russia