Sale: Triton XI, Lot: 1605. Estimate $1000.  Closing Date: Monday, 7 January 2008.  Sold For $8500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

RUSSIA, Tsars of Russia. Aleksandr II Nikolaevich. 1855-1881. AR Rouble (20.84 g, 12h). Sankt-Peterburg (St. Petersburg) mint; Nikolai Iossa, mintmaster. Dated 1875. (flower) ЧИCTAГO CEPEБPA 4 ЗOЛOTHИKA 21 ДOЛЯ, 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 / PУБЛЬ/(ornamental spacer)/1875/C.П.Б. in four lines across field. On edge: • CEP • 83 1/3 ПPOБЫ 4 ЗOЛ • 82 14/25 ДOЛИ. Bitkin 88; Severin 3849; Uzdenikov 1903. NGC photo graded MS 66, a hint of russet and blue toning cameos the entire coin. A gem proof-like example of this rouble and one of the finest known business strikes.

Ex Irving Goodman Collection (Superior, 11 February 1991), lot 1167.

Aleksandr II was the son of Nikolai I and was known as “Tsar-Liberator” for the emancipation of millions of serfs. He was assassinated for his trouble; many believe his sale of Alaska at a bargain price contributed to his demise.