Finest Known Russian Family 1-1/2 Rouble of 1836 Highlights Heritage's World Coin Sessions at September Long Beach

Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries' September 2007 Long Beach Signature Auction of World Coins contains an extraordinary offering of Russian coins and medals, led by a spectacular proof example of the 1836 1-1/2 Family Rouble. The rarity features the portrait of Nicholas I on the obverse, while the reverse features eight smaller cameos of the Imperial family: the bust of Empress Alexandra in the center, surrounded by busts of the royal children with no circles. The auction will be held September 26-29 at the Long Beach Convention Center in southern California (for more details visit www.HA.com.

"The post-1800 Russian Roubles are extremely desirable in today's market, especially the ultra rare family pieces," noted World Coin Director Warren Tucker. "We expect this finest-known example of the 1836 issue to realize seven figures, based on the results of the pieces sold in our June 2006 Long Beach Signature Auction. This masterpiece example of the Bit-888, Uzd-4207 variety is the finest example I have ever seen, and it has been certified as a MS64 by NGC, which makes it the finest original example certified by NGC. Its status as an original striking is assured by the complete lack of the die break found on the novodel restrikes."

"When we offered the St. Petersburg Collection in our June 2006 Long Beach catalog," continued Tucker, "we were pleased to offer a pair of 1836 Family Roubles from the St. Petersburg Collection. The Bit-886, Uzd-4208 sold as Lot 14615 was certified MS61 by NGC, and realized a thrilling $74,750 against an estimate of $30,000. Lot 14616, a Bit-888, Uzd-4207 variety, also certified as MS61 by NGC, realized $51,750. At that same auction, an 1835 Family Rouble reached $161,000. The superlative example offered in our upcoming auction will have every serious Russian collector in the hunt, and we expect a world record price."

Other images:

May/June 2006 Lot 14615

May/June 2006 Lot: 14616

Heritage's Official Auctions at the Sept Long Beach Coin Expo will also be offering U.S. coins and currency. Additional highlights from the September Long Beach Signature Auction of Ancient and World Coins are now available for viewing at www.HA.com/Coins.

For more information about Heritage's auctions, and a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit the Permanent Auction Archives at www.HA.com.

To reserve your copy of any Heritage auction catalog, please contact Client Services at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 150, or visit www.HA.com/Catalog to order by email.