The Most Expensive: Russian Coins
It’s going to get expensive today. Russian Coins – especially those of the Romanov-Tsardom – are known for achieving enormous results in auctions. We present: The ten most expensive Russian coins sold in auctions. Eight of these ten coins were sold by only one auction house.
01Peter I. Rouble, 1704. Red Mint. About extremely fine. Apparently not more than 2-3 coins known to exist. Ex famous collection of Count Emmerich Hutten-Czapsky, with collector’s mark. From SINCONA AG auction 7 (2012), 14.
02Catherine II. Pattern Rouble, 1766. “Of the three known specimens of this remarkable Pattern, this example is the best, … one of the greatest rarities of Russian numismatics.” From Baldwin’s at The New York Sale XXIX (2012) 2092.
03Alexander I. Polupoltinnik, 1808. St. Petersburg Mint. Excessively rare, extremely fine-uncirculated. From SINCONA AG auction 12 (2013), 429.
04Nicholas I. 1½ Roubles (“Family-Rouble”) / 10 Zlotych, 1835. St. Petersburg Mint. “Mintage 36 pieces only! Of highest rarity. Cabinet piece.” Choice brilliant uncirculated proof. From SINCONA AG auction 24 (2015), 610.
05Alexander III. Pattern Rouble, 1886, e St. Petersburg Mint. “Excessively rare. Unique in private possession!” Proof, unc. From SINCONA AG auction 19 (2014), 880.
06Alexander I. Pattern Rouble, 1807, St. Petersburg Mint. “Excessively rare – the only other piece known is in Hermitage. Unique with this edge.” BU. From the collection of Count J. J. Tolstoi. From SINCONA AG auction 19 (2014), 418.
07Paul I. Pattern-efimok, 1798, St. Petersburg Mint. „One of the greatest Russian rarities” From the collection of Count J. J. Tolstoi. Choice BU. From SINCONA AG auction 24 (2015) 385.
08Nicholas I. Pattern-polupoltinnik, 1827. St. Petersburg Mint. Brilliant uncirculated, excessively rare. From SINCONA AG auction 12 (2013), 533.
09Elisabeth. 20 Rouble, 1755. NGC AU58, ef-unc. “A unique coin, surely one of the greatest in all of Russian numismatics.” From St. James auction 10 (2008), 279.
10Ivan VI Antonovich (1740-1741). Pattern Rouble, 1740, St. Petersburg Mint. Beautiful patina and virtually almost uncirculated. One of the greatest Russian rarities. From SINCONA AG auction 7 (2012), 227.
