Lot 2256
Russia. Pattern 1½ Rubles, 1832. Proof struck in 22 carat (.916) gold. Weight 35 grams. 38.6 mm. Nicholas I. Obverse: Bust of Nicholas right. Reverse Imperial eagle crowned, 1 and ½ each side, date above. MOHETA POCC. below. Edge plain. One of a limited edition of 10 pieces produced in gold by International Numismatic Agency Ltd. Choice Brilliant Proof.
*Nicholas was a paternal autocrat who believed that he should rule his people by whatever means was necessary. He instituted a system of spies and secret police, and the government exercised censorship over education, publishing and all manifestations of public life. In 1833 Sergey Uvarov, the education minister conceived a program of 'autocracy, orthodoxy and nationality' as the guiding principle of the regime. The people were to show limit less loyalty to the authority of the Czar, the Russian church and to the nation. Nicholas refused to abolish serfdom, but he did he improve the lot of the peasants a little. And despite the repression, literature and the arts flourished in Russia in the form of music, ballet and literature.
*This privately minted 'retro' pattern produced by INA Ltd in Birmingham UK, in 2008, will be featured in the next edition of Colin Bruce's 'Unusual World Coins' published by Krause. The dies will only be used to complete production of silver and base metal strikings and then they will be rendered unusable.
Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,400.
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| Realized $2,415 |
