Sale: Triton XI, Lot: 1552. Estimate $5000.  Closing Date: Monday, 7 January 2008.  Sold For $41000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

RUSSIA, Tsars of Russia. Ekaterina I Alexeyevna. 1725-1727. AR Rouble (28.57 g, 12h). Red mint. Dated 1727. EKATEPIHA • IMПEPATPIЦA • ICAMOДEPЖEЦA • BCEPOC :, crowned and draped bust right / MOHETA (rosette) HOBAЯ (2 rosettes) ЦEHA (rosette) P(OУ)БЛЬ • 1727, crowned double-headed imperial eagle facing with wings displayed, holding scepter and orb; above, imperial crown. On edge: (flower) MOCKOBOKOГO ДBOPA (flower) POCCИCKOI (two flowers) P(OУ)БЛЬ. Bitkin 48; cf. Severin 861; Uzdenikov 666. NGC photo graded MS 63, beautiful, deep, and original patina on superb toning surfaces. Mint state and a lovely uncirculated specimen.

Ex Virgil Brand Collection (Spink Zürich 19, 15 April 1986), lot 65.

The three Ekaterina roubles presented in this collection are the finest seen in many years. Ekaterina was the first empress to rule the Russian Empire, and she was Petr I’s constant companion both in and out of wedlock. She died only three years after Peter, and her coinage is rare, especially in fine quality.