Russia 1842-SP 3 rubles

Ponterio sale 168, lot 40361

photo courtesy Stack's-Bowers LLC

This specimen was lot 40361 in Ponterio sale 168 (Philadelphia, August 2012), where it sold for $2,232. The catalog description^[1] noted, "RUSSIA. 3 Rubles, 1842-CNB. NGC EF-45. Struck in platinum." This type was struck 1828-45 and is the most available of the platinum denominations of three, six and twelve rubles. So far as is known, Russia is the only country ever to attempt to strike platinum for circulation with this series of three, six and twelve rubles issued 1829-45. The experiment was not a success as the metal is as hard as nickel, making it difficult to strike, and its price kept dropping relative to gold, discounting the value of the coin. In fact, platinum was used extensively by counterfeiters in the nineteenth century to make fake gold coins as the metal has nearly the same density.

Recorded mintage: 146,000.

Specification: 10.35 g, platinum, .332 troy oz APW.

Catalog reference: Fr-160; C-177; Bit-91; Sev-637.

Source:

• 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, Ponterio sale 168: The Official ANA Auction, Irvine, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2012.

Link to:

• 1838 3 rubles
• 1842-СПM КОПѢЙКА СЕРЕБРОМЪ (kopek), Izhora mint
• 1842-СПM 2 КОПѢЙКИ СЕРЕБРОМЪ (2 kopeks), Izhora mint
• 1842-EM 3 kopeks
• 1842-CПБ AЧ 10 kopeks
• 1842-СПБ AЧ poltina
• 1842-CПБ AЧ ruble
• 1842-CПБ AЧ 5 rubles
• 1843 3 rubles
• Coins and currency dated 1842
• return to coinage of Russia