Russia 1739-SP ruble Dav-1675
This specimen was lot 3012 in Sincona sale 77 (Zürich, May 2022), where it sold for 350 CHF (about US$425 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted, "RUSSIA | Russian Empire and Federation | Anna, 1730-1740. Rouble 1739, St. Petersburg Mint, SPB, 3 roubles according to Petrov. About very fine." The coinage of Russia of the eighteenth century is a confusing and fascinating subject. Many ruble types were issued only briefly and can be dated even if they don't bear dates. This type was issued from St. Petersburg (shown here) and Moscow (KM 203/Dav-1674) and is rare. It was issued 1736-40 and is priced quite a bit lower than previous issues of Peter I, Catherine I and Peter II. It varies from the similar Moscow issue by the addition of a mintmark and slightly different hairstyle on the empress. The massive portrait of the empress can only have been drawn from life. The rubles of Peter II were about 28 grams but this type seems to be only 25.85 grams.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 25.85 g, .802 fine silver, this specimen 25.59 g.
Catalog reference: KM-204, Diakov 6, Bitkin 236, Dav-1675.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- Bitkin, Vladimir, Composite Catalogue of Russian Coins, Part I (1699-1740), Kiev: Moneta, 2003.
- Harris, Robert P., Guidebook of Russian Coins, 1725 to 1970, Santa Cruz, CA: Bonanza Press, 1971.
- Davenport, John S., European Crowns, 1700-1800, 2nd Ed., London: Spink & Son, 1964.
- [1]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 77, World Coins and Medals, Bullion Auction, Coins and Medals of Switzerland, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2022.
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