Heritage Auctions, Inc. Auction #3061 Лот №32499

Аукцион: Heritage Auctions, Inc. Auction #3061

Лот: 32499

Завершен: 08.01.2018

Russia: Nicholas II gold Specimen Imperial of 10 Roubles 1895

Nicholas II gold Specimen Imperial of 10 Roubles 1895 SP62_x000D_ PCGS, St. Petersburg mint, KM-Pn143, Fr-173, Uzd-314, Sev-549_x000D_ (RRR), Bit-317 (R3). Obv. Bare head of Nicholas left. Rev. Crowned_x000D_ imperial double eagle facing, holding scepter and orb in talons;_x000D_ crown above, large coat-of-arms on breast, and smaller_x000D_ coats-of-arms on wings. One of the true rarities of the later_x000D_ Russian imperial series, this exquisite pattern issue, listed in_x000D_ Bitkin as 'donative,' has the denomination of an 'Imperial' of 10_x000D_ Roubles, though in actuality it is equivalent to the concurrent 15_x000D_ Roubles business strikes. Wide rims and highly mirrored surfaces_x000D_ lend to it a strong proof characteristic, though the exact nature_x000D_ remains uncertain, as PCGS has classified them as specimen_x000D_ strikings, while NGC has opted for a business strike designation._x000D_ In any event, this short, three-year run (from 1895-7) is_x000D_ exceedingly rare. KM lists a mintage figure of 125 pieces for 1895,_x000D_ while Bitkin, mirroring this number for the 1896 issue, remains_x000D_ uncertain for the 1895 date, listing it merely with a (?). Indeed,_x000D_ the true mintage is likely less than KM's listing of 125. Some_x000D_ lightly scattered hairlines in the lustrous fields prevent a_x000D_ higher, choice designation, but it remains one of only two 1895_x000D_ examples (the other being an MS61 by NGC) certified by either of_x000D_ the two major services. For comparison, the 1896 date has seen_x000D_ three specimens certified (an MS61 and MS63, along with an XF_x000D_ Details, all by NGC), and the 1897 date (likely of similar rarity_x000D_ to the 1895) has seen just one graded (an SP63 by PCGS). At_x000D_ auction, the more recent sales record for an 1895 date is the_x000D_ aforementioned NGC MS61, which, in the opinion of this cataloger,_x000D_ is far inferior to the present specimen, at least more so than the_x000D_ slight different between a 61 and 62 would lead one to believe. The_x000D_ former realized a hammer of $160,000 in the 2016 NY Sale. The sole_x000D_ 1897 certified--the PCGS SP63--realized a hammer of $300,000 in the_x000D_ 2014 NY Sale. Given the extreme quality and rarity of the present_x000D_ specimen, along with its awesome pedigree, it is no doubt that it_x000D_ will generate a tremendous amount of interest among the community_x000D_ along with bidding at the most elite of levels._x000D_ Ex. Irving M. Moskovitz Collection ("Quality" Sales Corp. 2/1977 -_x000D_ Lot 917 w/ auction tag)_x000D_ From the Commander Collection