Heritage Auctions, Inc. Auction #3030 Лот №24946

Аукцион: Heritage Auctions, Inc. Auction #3030

Лот: 24946

Завершен: 06.01.2014

Russia: Alexander II Proof Polushka (1/4 Kopeck) 1860-BM

Alexander II Proof Polushka (1/4 Kopeck) 1860-BM, Warsaw_x000D_ mint, Bitkin-496 (R3), Brekke-8, KM-Y1.3, PR64 Brown PCGS. An_x000D_ amazing Russian rarity. The strike is bold, with reflective fields_x000D_ beneath chocolate-brown patina. The surfaces exhibit minor spots_x000D_ and a major reverse die-crack beneath the BM mintmark. We hesitate_x000D_ to agree that this is a Proof striking, as so few of these pieces_x000D_ are known, and were produced, that any Mint State examples will_x000D_ probably display prooflike surfaces. Truly, it does not matter for_x000D_ this great rarity, but we suggest the bidder examine this piece_x000D_ closely. This exceedingly rare issue is missing from virtually all_x000D_ major collections, including the Mikhaiklovich Collection. The_x000D_ only, recent, similar issue we can reference is an 1860-EM_x000D_ Polushka, Bitkin 384, also R3, and listed as About Extremely Fine,_x000D_ sold by the Swiss auction firm Sincona on October 9, 2012, lot_x000D_ 1331. The Sincona coin realized 11,000 Swiss Francs, or_x000D_ approximately $11,700. We use this as reference, but we feel the_x000D_ 1860-BM is even rarer than the EM issue._x000D_ A close study of this amazing piece is quite revealing. It appears_x000D_ to be an overdate, probably from a re-worked 1855 die, as there are_x000D_ definite underdigits beneath the 6 and 0. This could account for_x000D_ the large reverse die-break, if a die from the previous BM Polushka_x000D_ issue (1855) was re-worked with the date 1860, and then began to_x000D_ collapse after very few coins were struck. The die-break could have_x000D_ been caused by using the old die, and the rarity as a result of the_x000D_ die completely failing, with no further coins produced.