Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 31

Pre-Long Beach Coin Auction

Catherine II the Great (1762-1796)

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 1861		Russia. Catherine II, the Great (1729-1796). German princess who became Empress of Russia after deposing her weak and ineffectual husband. She was one of the most successful European monarchs, adding some 200,000 square miles to the territory of the Russian empire. Intelligent and well educated, she corresponded with the leading philosophers of her time. Imperial Decree Signed as Czarina of Russia, July 2, 1762, Saint Petersburg, 1 page, 12½ x 8 in. In Russian, appointing Vassily Shkurin as her wardrobe meister with the rank of actual brigadier and a salary of 1,000 rubles per year. Fine condition. With translation. Estimated Value $600 - 800. The Dr. Robert D. Hesselgesser Collection. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $1,495
Lot 1862		Russia. Catherine II, the Great (1729-1796). Imperial Decree Signed as Czarina of Russia, February 26, 1763, Saint Petersburg, 1 page, 12½ x 8 in. In Russian, commanding that the old, once- magnificent livery, now in a state of decrepitude, be given as a reward to the liveried servants of the court, and that the distribution be counted as an expenditure. Fine condition. With translation. Estimated Value $600 - 800. The Dr. Robert D. Hesselgesser Collection. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $1,438
Lot 1863		Russia. Novodel 10 Rubles, 1785-SPB. Fr-129b; Bitkin-H42. Catherine II. Bust right. Reverse: Cross of four shields. A novodel unknown to Severin. The bust of Catherine is in lower than normal relief due to lapping of the die for novodel use. It is however frosted and contrasts nicely with the prooflike fields. The reverse is more prooflike in appearance and in slightly higher relief. Rated R3, with only 4 to 9 pieces estimated to exist. PCGS graded MS-63. Estimated Value $10,000 - 12,500. The Dr. Robert D. Hesselgesser Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $14,950
Lot 1864		Russia. Novodel 5 Rubles, 1785-SPB. Fr-130b; Bitkin-H80; Sev-Unlisted. Catherine II. Bust right. Reverse: Cross of four shields. Sharply struck with brilliant prooflike fields. The 5 of the date has been recut or repunched over a slightly left leaning numeral to bring it somewhat more vertical. Extremely rare, R3, with only 4 to 9 examples estimated to exist. PCGS graded MS-64. Estimated Value $8,000 - 12,000. The Dr. Robert D. Hesselgesser Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $7,188
Lot 1865		Russia. Ruble, 1763-SPB NK. Bitkin-175; Sev-1914; Dav-1683. Catherine II. Minor flan flaw in face, otherwise superb and fully lustrous. PCGS graded MS-63. Estimated Value $2,000 - 3,000. The Dr. Robert D. Hesselgesser Collection, Ex-Goodman Coll., Feb. 1991, Lot 442. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $5,750
Lot 1866		Russia. Novodel Gold Medal, 1766. Tiregale-102. 67.2 grams. 36 X 42 mm. Unsigned. Catherine II, The Great. Monogram. Reverse: Crowned pyramid. Given to the deputies for the Code of Laws. Brilliant Uncirculated. Estimated Value $4,000 - 6,000. The Dr. Robert D. Hesselgesser Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $12,075
Lot 1867		Russia. Ruble, 1770-SPB YaCh. Bitkin-Unlisted; Sev-Unlisted. TP on sleeve. Unlisted obverse for this 1770 variety. Planchet flaw at the edge about 5 o'clock obverse. Very rare unpublished mule. PCGS graded EF-45. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,500. The Dr. Robert D. Hesselgesser Collection, Ex-Fuchs, April 1996, Lot 399. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 1868		Russia. Sestroretsk Ruble, 1771. Br-317, edge type-2; Bitkin-880. Novodel. 1030.6 grams. 75.9 mm wide and 26.8 mm thick from a first type sawed planchet. This amazing artifact is the world's largest round copper coin. Throughout numismatic history, the most interesting and unusual issues are often the result of the economic necessities of war. In order to finance her campaigns, Catherine II instituted an issue of paper assignats in 1769. These were to be backed by and fully exchangeable for copper currency and it was proposed that a copper ruble could be more efficiently produced than the equivalent of twenty 5 kopeck pieces. It was also surmised that not too many holders of the paper assignats would ask to exchange them for the large and heavy copper coins. Thus the law was enacted in 1770 calling for the issue of copper rubles. Production was to take place at the Military Ordnance Works at Sestroretsk, near St. Petersburg, because the heavy machinery required to produce the massive 1000 gram planchets was already in place. Because of the thickness of the required planchets, it was decided to saw them from copper rods of the appropriate diameter. This proved excessivley difficult and an alternate procedure whereby planchets were cast, then lathed to the needed specifications was tried. Sawing was too difficult and casting/lathing was too expensive. No one anticipated the many technical problems involved in production and after 8 years of experimentation and frustration, the few original test samples were sent to the Senate and the dies were stored at the St. Petersburg Mint. The type is known with two dates, 1700 and 1771. A very few novodels were struck from original dies during the 1840s and 1850s with newly made collars as the original collars had been lost. This novodel is from a sawed planchet which is rarer than those of the cast & lathed variety. The few known original specimens are now housed in the Hermitage Museum, Leningrad and the Smithsonian Institute, Washington D.C. Here then is a rare opportunity to acquire the world's rarest copper coin and among the rarest and most famous of all the world's coins. An opportunity not to be missed as it may be many years before we see another offered for public sale. Uncirculated. Estimated Value $60,000 - 80,000. The Dr. Robert D. Hesselgesser Collection, Ex-Detroit Museum Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 1869		Russia. Novodel Pattern Ruble, 1771. Bitkin-H881 (Rarity-3); Sev-2058; GM-730; Reichel-4627. Silver. 38.3 mm. 18.82 grams. Plain edge. Catherine II. Well struck with semi-reflective surfaces and attractive light toning in silvery gray with some blue highlights on the wreath. Rated R3, with only 4 to 9 examples estimated to exist. As mentioned in the Goodman sale, the dies used to strike the novodel "Sestroretsk Ruble" were also used to strike this ruble. Both types show identical raised spots from rusty dies indicating that the original dies may have been used after some years of storage. This type is colloquially known as the "Pugachev Ruble" because the date 1771 corresponds to the period of the rebellion of Emelyan Pugachev who was a pretender to the throne, in the name of Peter III, and the coin design does not contain the name or monogram of Catherine II. The Grand Duke George Michailovitch lists this type as item number 28 in his 1885 monograph "A Description of Some Rare Coins in My Collection" in which he described 44 of his rarest and most interesting coins. It is much rarer than the copper "Sestroretsk Ruble" novodel. The only pieces we can locate appearing at auction since 1931 are the Hess-Leu Russland Auction piece (Sodermann Collection), November 1968, lot 241, and the present specimen. This great rarity is worthy of the finest collection of Russian silver rubles. NGC graded MS-64 Prooflike. Estimated Value $50,000 - 60,000. The Dr. Robert D. Hesselgesser Collection, Ex-Irving Goodman Collection, Feb 1991, Lot 465. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $51,750
Lot 1870		Russia. Ruble, 1782-SPB IZ. Bitkin-219; Dav-1685. Catherinel II. Deeply toned with lustrous fields. About Uncirculated. Estimated Value $1,500 - 1,800. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,185
Lot 1871		Russia. Gold Medal, ND. Tiregale-106. 41.46 Grams. Plain edge. 38.72 mm. By Judin. Catherine II, The Great, 1762-1796. An agricultural award medal. Bust of Catherine II, right. Reverse: Ceres seated on sheaves of grain before a tree with a farming scene in the background. Both the bust and the pastoral rendition on the reverse are beautifully sculpted by the talented artist and engraver. Very Rare. PCGS graded Proof 63 Deep Cameo. Estimated Value $5,000 - 7,000. The Dr. Robert D. Hesselgesser Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $11,500
Lot 1872		Russia. 10 Kopeks, 1796. B-40. Edge-1. Novodel. Catherine II. Cipher series. Lovely chocolate-brown surfaces. PCGS graded too large for holder, with tag Proof 64 Brown. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,250. The Dr. Robert D. Hesselgesser Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $805
Lot 1873		Russia. 5 Kopeks, 1765-EM. B-206A, Edge-3 Reeded edge. Novodel. Catherine II. Glossy chocolate brown with some mint red. PCGS graded too large for holder, with tag MS-65 Brown. Estimated Value $500 - 700. The Dr. Robert D. Hesselgesser Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $489
Lot 1874		Russia. 5 Kopeks, 1787-KM. B-263. Edge-1. Novodel. Catherine II. Czapski "C" counterstamp. A pleasing lustrous coin. PCGS graded MS-65 Brown. Estimated Value $450 - 650. The Dr. Robert D. Hesselgesser Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $690
Lot 1875		Russia. 5 Kopeks, 1788-KM. B-276; KM-N210. Edge-1. Novodel. Catherine II. Czapski "C" counterstamp. Mostly brown with some mint red. PCGS graded MS-66 Brown. Estimated Value $450 - 650. The Dr. Robert D. Hesselgesser Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $633
Lot 1876		Russia. 5 Kopeks, 1790-KM. B-285. Novodel. Catherine II. PCGS graded MS-65 Brown. Estimated Value $350 - 450. The Dr. Robert D. Hesselgesser Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $403
Lot 1877		Russia. 5 Kopeks, 1793-KM. B-298; Bitkin-H711. Novodel. Catherine II. Czapski "C" counterstamp. PCGS graded MS-66 Brown. Estimated Value $400 - 500. The Dr. Robert D. Hesselgesser Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $575
Lot 1878		Russia. 5 Kopeks, 1795-KM. B-306; Bitkin-H715. Novodel. Catherine II. Czapski "C" counterstamp. PCGS graded MS-66 Red & Brown. Estimated Value $400 - 500. The Dr. Robert D. Hesselgesser Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $604
Lot 1879		Russia. 5 Kopeks, 1796-KM. B-311; Bitkin-H717. Novodel. Catherine II. Czapski "C" counterstamp. PCGS graded MS-66 Brown. Estimated Value $400 - 500. The Dr. Robert D. Hesselgesser Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $604
Lot 1880		Russia. 5 Kopeks, 1796. B-31; Bitkin-H837. Edge-5. Novodel. Catherine II. Cipher series. Medium brown, a little mint red around the devices. PCGS graded MS-65 Brown. Estimated Value $600 - 800. The Dr. Robert D. Hesselgesser Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $604
Lot 1881		Russia. 4 Kopeks, 1796. B-25; Bitkin-H844. Edge-1. Novodel. Catherine II. Cipher series. Beautiful brown surfaces, the devices outlined in mint red. PCGS graded MS-65 Brown. Estimated Value $500 - 700. The Dr. Robert D. Hesselgesser Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $460
Lot 1882		Russia. 2 Kopeks, 1765. B-151. Novodel. Edge-1. Catherine II. St. George. Reverse: Crowned monogram within wreath. PCGS graded MS-65 Red & Brown. Estimated Value $400 - 500. The Dr. Robert D. Hesselgesser Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $460
Lot 1883		Russia. 2 Kopeks, 1796. B-Unlisted variety. Novodel. Struck on 1 Kopeck planchet. Catherine II. Cipher series. Rare. PCGS graded MS-65 Red & Brown. Estimated Value $600 - 800. The Dr. Robert D. Hesselgesser Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $690
Lot 1884		Russia. 2 Kopeks, 1796. B-19. Novodel. Catherine II. The Cipher series. Reddish brown. PCGS graded MS-65 Red & Brown. Estimated Value $350 - 450. The Dr. Robert D. Hesselgesser Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $403
Lot 1885		Russia. 1 Kopeck, 1763. B-106. Edge-5. Novodel. Catherine II. Most pleasing reddish brown with some lovely blue iridescence. PCGS graded MS-66 Red & Brown. Estimated Value $300 - 400. The Dr. Robert D. Hesselgesser Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $460
Lot 1886		Russia. Novodel Kopeck, 1765. B-115 Var. Reeded Edge. Catherine II. PCGS graded MS-65 Red & Brown. Estimated Value $300 - 400. The Dr. Robert D. Hesselgesser Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $311
Lot 1887		Russia. 1 Kopeck, 1796. B-14. Novodel. Catherine II. Cipher series. Glossy reddish brown. PCGS graded MS-64 Brown. Estimated Value $350 - 450. The Dr. Robert D. Hesselgesser Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 1888		Russia. Denga (½ Kopeck), 1765. B-53. Novodel. Edge-1. Catherine II. Reddish brown with a hint of mint red. PCGS graded MS-64 Brown. Estimated Value $300 - 350. The Dr. Robert D. Hesselgesser Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 1889		Russia. Denga (½ Kopeck), 1765. B-53. Edge-1. Novodel. Catherine II. Reddish brown, the mint red faded but lovely. PCGS graded MS-64 Red & Brown. Estimated Value $300 - 400. The Dr. Robert D. Hesselgesser Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $242
Lot 1890		Russia. Denga (½ Kopeck), 1775-KM. B-370; Bitkin-1092. Catherine II. PCGS graded MS-63 Brown. Estimated Value $100 - 125. The Dr. Robert D. Hesselgesser Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $460
Lot 1891		Russia. Denga (½ Kopeck), 1782-KM. B-66. Edge-1. Novodel. Catherine II. Boldly struck, with considerable gleaming mint red. PCGS graded MS-66 Red & Brown. Estimated Value $250 - 300. The Dr. Robert D. Hesselgesser Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $276
Lot 1892		Russia. Denga (½ Kopeck), 1784-KM. B-70. Edge-1. Novodel. Catherine II. Glossy light brown with hints of red luster. PCGS graded MS-66 Brown. Estimated Value $200 - 250. The Dr. Robert D. Hesselgesser Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $173
Lot 1893		Russia. Denga (½ Kopeck), 1786-KM. B-75. Edge-1. Novodel. Catherine II. Lustrous reddish brown. PCGS graded MS-65 Red & Brown. Estimated Value $200 - 250. The Dr. Robert D. Hesselgesser Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $253
Lot 1894		Russia. Denga (½ Kopeck), 1796. B-8; Bitkin-H861. Edge-1. Novodel. Catherine II. Cipher series. PCGS graded AU-55. Estimated Value $150 - 200. The Dr. Robert D. Hesselgesser Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $184
Lot 1895		Russia. Polushka (¼ Kopeck), 1769. B-8. Novodel. Edge-0. Catherine II. St. George. Glossy with some bright golden red. PCGS graded MS-66 Red & Brown. Estimated Value $250 - 300. The Dr. Robert D. Hesselgesser Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $299
Lot 1896		Russia. Polushka (¼ Kopeck), 1769. B-9. Edge-1. Novodel. Catherine II. Lustrous with a hint of mint red. PCGS graded MS-66 Brown. Estimated Value $200 - 250. The Dr. Robert D. Hesselgesser Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 1897		Russia. Polushka (¼ Kopeck), 1783-KM. B-18; Novodel. Edge-1. Catherine II. St. George. PCGS graded MS-66 Brown. Estimated Value $250 - 300. The Dr. Robert D. Hesselgesser Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $230
Lot 1898		Russia. Polushka (¼ Kopeck), 1784-KM. B-20. Edge-1. Novodel. Catherine II. A pleasing lustrous example. PCGS graded MS-64 Red. Estimated Value $150 - 200. The Dr. Robert D. Hesselgesser Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $219
Lot 1899		Russia. Polushka (¼ Kopeck), 1788. B-28. Novodel. Edge-0. Catherine II. St. George. Golden red, some brown toning. PCGS graded MS-65 Red & Brown. Estimated Value $200 - 250. The Dr. Robert D. Hesselgesser Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $230
Lot 1900		Russia. Polushka (¼ Kopeck), 1796. B-2; Bitkin-H865. Edge-1. Novodel. Catherine II. Cipher Series. Rare. PCGS graded MS-65 Brown. Estimated Value $300 - 400. The Dr. Robert D. Hesselgesser Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $311
Lot 1901		Russia - Siberia. Siberia. 10 Kopeks, 1768-KM. B-502; Bitkin-H925. Edge-1. Novodel. Catherine II. Superb coin with mostly red luster. PCGS graded too large for holder, with tag MS-67 Red & Brown. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,250. The Dr. Robert D. Hesselgesser Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,150
Lot 1902		Russia - Siberia. Siberia. 10 Kopeks, 1770-KM. B507; Bitkin-H929. Edge-1. Novodel. Catherine II. Bold strike, glossy brown, superb example. PCGS graded too large for holder, with tag MS-67 Brown. Estimated Value $800 - 1,000. The Dr. Robert D. Hesselgesser Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,208
Lot 1903		Russia - Siberia. Siberia. 10 Kopeks, 1771-KM. B-509; Bitkin-H931. Edge-1. Novodel. Catherine II. Lustrous with considerable mint brilliance. PCGS graded too large for holder, with tag MS-66 Red & Brown. Estimated Value $700 - 900. The Dr. Robert D. Hesselgesser Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,208
Lot 1904		Russia - Siberia. Siberia. 10 Kopeks, 1774-KM. B-516; Bitkin-H937. Edge-1. Novodel. Catherine II. PCGS graded too large for holder, with tag MS-67 Brown. Estimated Value $800 - 1,000. The Dr. Robert D. Hesselgesser Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,093
Lot 1905		Russia - Siberia. Siberia. 10 Kopeks, 1774-KM. B-516; Bitkin-H937. Edge-1. Novodel. Catherine II. PCGS graded Too large for holder, with tag MS-66 Brown. Estimated Value $700 - 900. The Dr. Robert D. Hesselgesser Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $719
Lot 1906		Russia - Siberia. Siberia. 10 Kopeks, 1778-KM. B-526; Bitkin-H946. Edge-1. Novodel. Catherine II. Bold strike with pleasing lustrous surfaces. PCGS graded Too large for holder, with tag MS-66 Red & Brown. Estimated Value $700 - 900. The Dr. Robert D. Hesselgesser Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $920
Lot 1907		Russia - Siberia. Siberia. 10 Kopeks, 1779-KM. B-528; Bitkin-H948. Edge-1. Novodel. Catherine II. PCGS graded too large for holder, with tag MS-67 Red & Brown. Estimated Value $900 - 1,100. The Dr. Robert D. Hesselgesser Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,208
Lot 1908		Russia - Siberia. Siberia. 5 Kopeks, 1772-KM. B-471; Bitkin-H976. Edge-1. Novodel. Catherine II. PCGS graded MS-66 Brown. Estimated Value $400 - 500. The Dr. Robert D. Hesselgesser Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $518
Lot 1909		Russia - Siberia. Siberia. 5 Kopeks, 1778-KM. B-483; Bitkin-H988. Edge-1. Novodel. Catherine II. A pleasing lustrous mint red example. PCGS graded MS-65 Red. Estimated Value $500 - 600. The Dr. Robert D. Hesselgesser Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $633
Lot 1910		Russia - Siberia. Siberia. 2 Kopeks, 1767/76-KM. B-425; Bitkin-H-1004. Edge-1. Novodel. Clear overdate. Catherine II. PCGS graded MS-66 Brown. Estimated Value $250 - 350. The Dr. Robert D. Hesselgesser Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $311

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