Russia 2000 ruble KM-Y721

Jean Elsen sale 163, lot 2233

This specimen was lot 2233 in Jean Elsen sale 163 (Brussels, November 2025), where it sold for €180 (about US$208 including buyer's fees). The catalog description^[1] noted,

"RUSSIE, République (1991-), AR rouble, 2000. Faune russe. Desman de Moscovie. Rare. (republic of Russia, silver ruble of 2000, Russian fauna series, Moscow desman. Rare, Proof.)"

Wikipedia comments, "The Russian desman (Desmana moschata; Russian: выхухоль vykhukhol) is a small semiaquatic mammal that inhabits the Volga, Don and Ural River basins in Russia." The desman vaguely resembles a muskrat but is not a rodent but a mole. This was accompanied by NCLT's featuring the leopard runner snake (KM Y720) and the hooded crane (KM Y719).

Recorded mintage: 3,000 proofs.

Specification: 17.44 g, 0.900 fine silver, 33 mm diameter, reeded edge, designed by Alexander Vasilyevich Baklanov and Andrey Sergevich Kunats.

Catalog reference: KM Y721.

Source:

• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
• ^[1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 163, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2025.

Link to:

• 2000 ruble, hooded crane
• 2000 3 rubles, Olympic Games, ice hockey
• 2000 200 rubles, snow leopard
• 2003 ruble, pygmy cormorant
• Coins and currency dated 2000