Sale: Triton XI, Lot: 1602. Estimate $500.  Closing Date: Monday, 7 January 2008.  Sold For $1200. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

RUSSIA, Tsars of Russia. Aleksandr II Nikolaevich. 1855-1881. AR Poltina (10.38 g, 12h). Sankt-Peterburg (St. Petersburg) mint; Nikolai Iossa, mintmaster. Dated 1855. ЧИCTAГO CEPEБPA 2 ЗOЛOTHИKA 10½ ДOЛEЙ, crowned double-headed imperial eagle facing with wings displayed, holding scepter and orb; coat-of-arms of Moskva framed by Order of St. Andrei Первозванного (the First Called) on breast; arms of Kazan, Astrakhan, and Novosibirsk on right wing, Kingdom of Poland, Crimea, and Grand Duchy of Finland on left; above, imperial crown; н-I flanking tail / MOHETA/ПOЛTИHA/(ornamental spacer)/1855/C.П.Б. in five lines across field; imperial crown above; all within laurel and oak wreath. On edge: • CEP • 83 1/3 ПPOБЫ 2 ЗOЛ • 41 7/25 ДOЛ. Bitkin 49; Severin 3637; Uzdenikov 1721. NGC photo graded MS 64. Gem toned uncirculated.

Purchased from M. L. Teller, January 1997.

It is impossible to distinguish between the cons of Nikolai I and Aleksandr II, since this date was struck for both reigns. However, it is assumed this is an Aleksandr II poltina because the vast majority of coins bearing this date were struck during his reign.