Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;silvereagle82, post: 1027493, member: 1700&quot;]Country: RUSSIA</p><p>Type: Ducat&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Date: 1849</p><p>Certification:&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; NGC #1915585-012&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Grade:&nbsp; PF 64 Cameo</p><p>Coin Information: </p><p>Design: OBVERSE: Legend around inner circle with standing knight in full armor holding a sword and a sheaf of arrows. The arrows signify the unity of the northern provinces, which banded together and signed the union of Utrecht in 1579, which was there declaration of independence from Spain. Legend – “CONCORDIA RES PARVAE CRES****” translates “Union Makes Small Things Grow”&nbsp; &nbsp; ~ REVERSE:&nbsp; Legend or motto on tablet. “MONETA ORDINUM PROVINCIARUM FOEDERATARUM BELGII AD LEGEM IMPERII” translates “Coin of the Provinces of the United Netherlands According to the Law of The Empire”</p><p>Mint:&nbsp; St. Petersburg</p><p>Mintage: Unknown </p><p>References: KM #83.1 (Netherlands) / Fr. 161</p><p>Specifications:&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Diameter – 21.0 mm </p><p>Weight – 3.5100 g. @ 0.9860 Gold = .1113 oz AGW</p><p>Acquired: Ponterio 2010 N.Y.I.N.C. Auction – Lot #7357 – January 2010</p><p>Providence: None</p><p>Notes:</p><p>➢&nbsp; &nbsp; &quot;1849&quot; dated ducats were struck at St. Petersburg mint from 1849-1868.&nbsp; 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?? </p><p>➢&nbsp; &nbsp; 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 &amp; Associates &amp; 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 &quot;In my opinion, this coin is a proof, and not a prooflike business strike. NGC has properly designated it as a proof.&quot; </p><p>➢&nbsp; &nbsp; 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 ??? </p><p>➢&nbsp; &nbsp; In all my extensive reference materials (both book and internet) I can find no record of any &quot;proof&quot; ducat pre 1900 (Dutch or Russian). This is a very rare and exceptionally choice coin.</p><p><br /></p><p>&nbsp;Obverse:&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; </p><p><img src="http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f374/silvereagle82/465478ol-2.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Reverse:</p><p><img src="http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f374/silvereagle82/465478rl-2.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

Your name or email address:

Do you already have an account?

• No, create an account now.
• Yes, my password is:
• Forgot your password?

Stay logged in