A42, Lot 381:
RUSSIA. A collection of "wire money" (33 pieces). 1425-1717. If you browse through the Krause Standard Catalog of World Coins 1601-1700 looking for Russian coins, rather than seeing Russian issues that match the thaler, taler, daalder coinage then circulating in Europe you will see some of the same European issues with Russian countermarks. Russian coinage matching the European model first appears at the beginning of the 18th century issued under Peter the Great (1682-1725).
It was Peter the Great who worked to bring Russia into the economic and social—and military, as well—European world of the time. In the 14th century barter was gradually replaced by a metallic currency that imitated the Tatar Mongols of the Golden Horde. Silver in the form of wire was cut and then hammered flat with obverse and reverse dies.
“Wire money” has a characteristic look—elongated with design off the edges of the narrower portion of the piece. The opening piece in this lot, a denga of Boris Alexandrovich (reign of Vasily II of Moscow, 1425-1461) demonstrates how a piece struck from silver in the form of wire looks when it is well and fully struck.
This collection covers that period from 1425 until 1717 when these pieces were made. They have all been thoroughly cataloged and valued by Alex Basok, a recognized expert on Russian coinage. They represent a significant sampling of Russia’s political structure during that era—free cities, rulers, regents…
The entire four page description of the collection prepared by Alex Basok is available on request. A copy of it will also be included with the lot itself.
•Grand Duchy of Tver. Boris Alexandrovich (1689-1725). *Denga (31). A warrior with a sword in his right hand and a shield in his left. (ПЕУАТ) КНАZBЛКОГО(Б) around / Reverse legend in 4 lines in a rope circle. SP 62.12 (var). Or 168 (II-78)
•Free City of Novgorod. Three different dengas with estimates ranging from $175 to $250 (1, 2, 3). *Denga. (2) Seated figure of a ruler and kneeling servant, Д between them at top, legend on reverse. Similar to Sp. 66.1 and 2. “This coin has full depiction of both dies on it and has neat almost round planchet.” ($250)
•Free City of Pskov. *Denga. (4) Crowned facing bust of a man holding a sword in his right hand, Д to the right. Sp. 66.9 or similar to 65 (I-20). “Good overall with full reverse legend and most of the important element of obverse on it.” ($250)
•Grand Duchy of Moscow. Vasily Vasilyevich the Blind (1425-1462). Two different dengas (5 and 6).*Denga. (5) Horseman right spearing the head of a dragon, two pearls in front, one behind/ Man’s head to the right. Sp. 57.11. “Somewhat common coin but all important details are very clear.” ($150)
•Ivan III (1462-1505).*Denga. (9) Horseman with raised sabre galloping right, letter C underneath. SP. 75.23. “The letter C under the horse is very clear and that is the only redeeming quality of that coin…” Double striking on the reverse ($75)
•Vasily Ivanovich (1505-1533). *Denga (10) of Pskov after subjugation to Moscow in 1510. Horse with raised sabre to right, Ж below. SP 66.16. “…the letter under the horse…combined with the moneyer’s name Zamania on the reverse makes attribution absolutely certain. There are only 3 moneyer’s names in all history of Russian hammered coinage…” ($250)
•Ivan IV the Terrible (1533-1584). Three different kopeks, two of Novogord and one of Pskov. (7, 8, 9) (Alex’s estimates total $90)
•Feodor Ioanovich (1584-1598). Two different kopeks, one of Pskov and one of Moscow. (14, 15) (Estimates of $65 and $35).
•Feodor Borisovich Godunov (1605). *Kopek of Moscow mint. (16) Knight on horseback right, MO below. K/G 236 (RVIII), Meln 7/4. “Very nice and almost full legend, coin aesthetically very pleasant and scarce. As nice sample as anyone can find.” ($250)
•Dmitry Ioanovich (False Dimitry) (1605-1606). Kopeks of Novgorod Mint. K/G 247 (RIX). Meln D4-1/1N. (17, 19, 23. $140 total estimates.)
•Boris Godunov (1598-1605). Three kopek pieces. One of Novgorod (20) with “full date and clear full legend of reverse.” ($75
Another, Moscow mint (25). K/G 249. Meln V4-1/1M. ($75)
*Kopek of Moscow Mint. (18) Knight on horseback right. MO under the horse. K/G 189 (RVIII). Meln 3-8/2MO. “This coin has all there is to have and in nice condition as well.” ($150)
•Vasily Ivanovich Shuisky (1606-1610). Kopek of Pskov mint. (22) ПС under the horse. K/G 249. Meln V4-1/1M. ($75)
Kopek of Moscow mint. (24). K/G 249. Meln V4-1/1m. ($75)
•Mikhail Feodorovich Romanov (1613-1645). Three different kopeks that vary in attributability but are recognizable, common and of limited value (26. 28, 29)
•Alexey Mikhailovich (1645-1676) and Peter I Alexeyevich (1689-1725). A kopek for each (27, 30 plus 2 similar for Peter I). Common and of minimal value but representative.
The Zabel Collection.
Connected
Disconnected
