RUSSIA. Ruble, 1841-CNB HT. St. Petersburg Mint. Nicholas I. PCGS MS-65+ Gold Shield. Dav-283; KM-C-168.1; Bit-192. A superb Gem of the date that benefits from strong luster in the fields and soft, complimentary tone that ranges from a mixture of pale silver and coppery-gold in the centers to delicate greenish-blue along the edges. Despite the appearance of numerous die cracks that run over the surfaces on both sides, very few actual disturbances from handling exist, with the most notable exception being a very faint inked 15 to the right of the crown on the reverse that perhaps refers to an old collector of museum inventory number. All considered, an extremely pleasing coin, and tied with one other for the finest graded at PCGS, which is sure to excite its next owner.
