New Guinea AV 100 Kina 1982 Poor mans Bird of Paradise/ Deutsches Neu Guinea 1895 AV 20 Marks $$$$$$ Of course had the "allies" not raped Germany of her colonial possessions, maybe more would have been struck.
Russia Ducat 1849 Yes, a Russian Ducat Mint: St. Petersburg Mintage: Unknown References: KM #83.1 (Netherlands) / Fr. 161 Grade: PF 64 Cameo Specifications: Diameter – 21.0 mm Weight – 3.5100 g. @ 0.9860 Gold = .1113 oz AGW Acquired: Ponterio 2010 N.Y.I.N.C. Auction – Lot #7357 – January 2010 Providence: None Notes: "1849" dated ducats were struck at St. Petersburg mint from 1849-1868. 4,350,190 per St. Petersburg mint records. Seems like a lot yet you do not see a lot of these on the market!! A common coin in its day, remember that the ducat was the best known gold trade coin in its day and the Russian Armies and Imperial family traveled extensively through all of Europe and central Asia; therefore it was commonly melted to produce other gold coins, jewelry, etc. of the other countries?? As to whether or not this is a real proof strike coin vs. a proof-like commercial strike coin ... I posed the question to Mr. Rick Ponterio (Formerly owner of Ponterio & Associates & now with Bowers and Merena Auctions and a noted world coin expert) himself, asking him to review the coin in-hand and give me his opinion .... his email answer "In my opinion, this coin is a proof, and not a prooflike business strike. NGC has properly designated it as a proof." Now for a proof 1849 St. Petersburg ducat. Do they exist? .... Obviously based on this specimen they do, but they have to be rare ... Could it have been a special proof presentation coin for the State Treasury or purse of the Russian Imperial family of Nicholas I or Alexander III ??? In all my extensive reference materials (both book and internet) I can find no record of any "proof" ducat pre 1900 (Dutch or Russian). This is
I know, I had followed your coin from China, "silvereagle" somehow topedoed me with his dandy Russian 1849 Dukat
Umm, I think Queen Elizabeth I and several earlier queens might disagree with that statement. PS- Oh- wait. I see what you meant. Anne was indeed the first queen of a unified Great Britain, after the 1707 Union. The earlier ones were just from England. Gotcha. PPS- note how PCGS put "Great Britain" on the label of my 1575 sixpence, even though there was no such country until 1707. (Should have put "England" on there. We Americans constantly get that distinction confused.) Anyway, on from Great Britain to Ireland.