Spassky-Fig. 35. A VERY RARE piece from the short and violent reign of Vladimir Is eldest son Sviatoslav who is know with such colorful monikers as "the Accursed", "the Damned" and "the Accursed Prince". Holding power in Kiev for only four years following his release after being imprisoned for trying to overthrow his father. His reign was dominated by trying to consolidate his power and eliminate other rivals, specifically his three brothers who all somehow died shortly after his ascension to power. The piece offered here while having a portion of the outer edge missing exhibits nearly all the elements one could want from such an early coin. The enthroned Christ on the obverse is still sharp and well defined with no severe muddling or doubling and the reverse still shows the majority of the Princes sigil. Some small patches of light surface verdigris are present but not obtrusive and mentioned solely for accuracy. The historic importance and rarity cannot be understated and the opportunities to obtain such a piece come all to seldom. Dark toned..VERY FINE.
