RUSSIA. Ducat Novodel Double Weight and Thickness, 1753-OEBP. Moscow Mint. Elizabeth. PCGS SPECIMEN-63+. KM-Unlisted; Fr-Unlisted; Sev-174a (this coin cited); Bit-kin-1753 (For Type); Dia-kov-284 (For Type). A splendid piece, of the <strong>HIGHEST RARITY. </strong>Thought to be <strong>UNIQUE. </strong>This Novodel piece is struck in double the weight, and on a double thickness planchet, than the already scarce standard Novodel strike. This particular coin is cited in Severin-174a: <em>"Andrew Ducat in double thickness and weight of 5.84 grams. Similar to No. 173. Currently in possession dealer Mark Salton-Schlessinger. Unpublished." </em>This specimen went to market in May 1966, at a Hans Schulman sale lot #2894, where it received a nearly half page writeup. It is not entirely clear how it again came into the possession of Salton, being that the Severin citation predates this sale. It possibly did not sell, given its astronomical for the time estimate of $15,000, or perhaps Salton repurchased it.
Strong mirrored fields, as is common on all Novodel strikes, give this special preservation a stunning reflective nature. Only a few scattered and inconsequential marks are present on this beauty. There are no evident breaks in the glossy luster. The pedigree and probably <strong>UNIQUE </strong>nature of this specimen make it a premier highlight of Russian numismatics.
From the Mark and Lottie Salton Collection.
Ex: Schulman (5/1966) Lot # 2494.
