The Stack’s Bowers Galleries official August ANA World’s Fair of Money
Auction is edging ever closer. For our preview in this final week of June we
have a fantastic and exceedingly rare pattern coin produced in Russia during
the reign of Empress Catherine II (the Great). Catherine II, though not a
Russian by birth, became Empress following a coup d’état and the assassination
of her husband, Emperor Peter III. Her accession came at the conclusion of the
Seven Years’ War. Russia earned a place among the great powers of Europe under
her rule, thanks to her strategy of revitalization and expansion. Her council
of advisors, including nobles, generals and admirals, assisted her greatly in
the expansion of Russia, both through diplomatic means and military conquest.
Catherine continued what Peter the Great started: the modernization of Russia
into a more Western European society.
This coin features the crowned arms of Moldavia and Wallachia within a
garland of roses atop a pedestal with the date 1773 just below. The reverse
displays the dual denomination of Para and Kopeks. Per the 2003 Diakov catalog,
at one point Brekke had commented that only three examples had appeared at
auction in the preceding century. Struck at Peter Gartenberg’s estate in
Sadagura (Garden Mountain is Slavic), there can be little doubt about the
special status of this coin. Very well preserved and clearly struck from the
freshest dies, this coin features exceptional strike details and gorgeous
color. This piece is absolutely beautiful when viewed in hand and the plethora
of blues along with the lilac; aquamarine and rose patina can be truly
appreciated. This rare piece combines the numismatic rarity and visual beauty
into a powerhouse coin that is guaranteed to bring pride to the most sophisticated
of collections.
Though our Stack’s Bowers August ANA World’s Fair of Money Auction is no
longer open for consignments, we are now accepting consignments of world and
ancient coins for our January 2017 New York International Auction as well as
Chinese and other Asian coins and currency for our April 2017 Hong Kong
Showcase Auction. If you are interested in consigning your coins and paper
currency (whether a whole collection or a single rarity) be sure to contact one
of our consignment directors
