Heritage Auctions, Inc. Auction #3061 Лот №32498

Аукцион: Heritage Auctions, Inc. Auction #3061

Лот: 32498

Завершен: 08.01.2018

Russia: Nicholas II gold Specimen 1/2 Imperial of 5 Roubles

Nicholas II gold Specimen 1/2 Imperial of 5 Roubles 1895-AГ SP62_x000D_ PCGS, St. Petersburg mint, KM-Pn142, Fr-175, Uzd-316, Sev-549_x000D_ (RRR), Bit-320 (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. Though not grand in size, the immense and_x000D_ majestic stature of this impressive specimen can not be overstated._x000D_ Nominally 5 Roubles, it is the equivalent weight of the current 7_x000D_ Roubles 50 Kopecks piece, and exhibits brilliant, mirrored_x000D_ surfaces, along with a pleasing golden-orange tone and an_x000D_ attractive prooflike appearance. Boasting an incredibly small_x000D_ mintage of just 36 pieces, this 'donative' coinage of 'Imperials'_x000D_ is the ultimate for late Russian patterns, especially for those who_x000D_ focus upon the last czar of the Romonov dynasty, Nicholas II. This_x000D_ particular denomination was produced for two years only--1895 and_x000D_ 1896--with each date reporting the same paltry mintage figure. In_x000D_ recent memory, there have only been four previous specimens of this_x000D_ type to cross the auction block, all of which are from the year of_x000D_ this example: 1895. From these four, the most comparable in terms_x000D_ of quality is an uncertified specimen which realized a hammer of_x000D_ €180,000 in Kunker 225 (1/2013). It had previously realized a_x000D_ hammer of nearly €142,000 in Niemczyk 1 (10/2010). Assuredly, the_x000D_ present example should rival the former, and possibly even exceed_x000D_ it regarding elegance and beauty. Indeed, it also represents the_x000D_ only example of the type--from either 1895 or 1896--to be certified_x000D_ by either of the two major services. When combined with its_x000D_ immensely impressive pedigree, this stunning rarity is not to be_x000D_ overlooked and would serve as a keystone in any Russian or pattern_x000D_ collection._x000D_ Ex. Irving M. Moskovitz Collection ("Quality" Sales Corp. 2/1977),_x000D_ lot 918 (includes auction tag)_x000D_ From the Commander Collection