Has anyone else heard of this "soviet-west German venture" as it is described? I know very little about what this venture was except that it existed during the soviet era and its goal was to distribute soviet numismatic products to the west. Any more info would be greatla appreciatted.
This is not a coin, but a ussr coin distributer during the soviet era. Here is an example of a coin in the original container with a cert. of authenticity.
This is the 1st time I hear this name. I looked for it on the Russian web segment and it seems this is a subsidiary of Moscow Mint. The company was created slightly more than 30 years ago. They are offering a wide range of numismatic related services, from production of special holders and albums for coins to minting special coins or medals. They are working with quite serious firms and organizations, including, for example, Royal Mint. It is weird they got a really shady lame website on free hosting server. I guess they are not making their business online. I did not find their earlier initiatives as "soviet-west German venture", but I didn't really look. Describe what exactly do you want to know about them, I`ll look into it. Here is an example of their product. 4 medals - "250 years of Russian America Discovery".
I would like to learn more about their work during the Soviet union. Especially their "Soviet west German venture" and the history behind that. Thanks
Initially, from mid 60s it was a subdivision of government owned bank (VneshTorgBank) and official Russian trade corporation (VneshEkonomBank). Started working as independent organization since 1988 as a joint enterprise of the Soviet Bank, government trade corporation and West Germany Ost-West Handelsbank (Soviet owned bank). I am guessing this is the part you`re interested in. There is not much information about their business with Ost-West Handelsbank, but as I mentioned, they produced souvenir packaging for Soviet coins and medals during those years and distributed them to the rest of the world through most convenient method available during the Iron Curtain period, a Federal Republic of Germany bank owned by Soviet regime.
Packaging pretty much always adds certain value. In this case definitely yes, but the premium depends on coin and the packaging. Can be $2, or can be $50.
Thanks, what is your opinion on the coin in the photos. It is a 1990 ussr 1 ruble Peter Tchaikovsky 150th anniversary commemorative in proof condition.
Not the most common packaging, but in my opinion the box and COA worth extra $3-5. Coin itself is about $4-6. This whole COA deal is nothing but a gimmick, personally I wouldn't pay extra for some coin distribution company box. Only original mint boxes worth more money, IMHO.
I've got a couple of related posters. Pretty neat. http://gxseries.com/numis/rus_new_type/soviet_posters.htm
