RUSSIA. Poltina (1/2 Ruble), 1742-CNB. St. Petersburg Mint. Elizabeth. NGC AU-53.KM-C-18.2; Bit-296; Dia-42. Nicely centered on a broad flan with exceptional striking detail appearing throughout and appealing gray-toned surfaces that showcase significant original luster. Among the finest examples of this issue we have seen and as such, a coin that is certain to excite the expert collector that knows how challenging it is to find early Poltinas in pleasing quality.It is interesting to note that the present example appears to be overstruck on a 1741 "Baby" Ivan Poltina. Evidence of the original host design is most noticeable on the reverse specifically to the right of the last digit of the date where a "4" is visible and just a ghosting of the "1" to the right of the eagles wing. The legends on the obverse are a bit muddled between 9 oclock and 12 oclock due to the differences in Ivans name compared to the new Czarinas name Elizabeth. The overstriking of baby Ivan Rubles is somewhat common knowledge and appear on the market with some regularity while the overstriking of the Poltinas is not as well known.
