RUSSIA. 5 Rubles, 1840/39-CNB. St. Petersburg Mint. Nicholas I. PCGS PROOF-63 Cameo. Fr-155; KM-C-145.1; Bit-17. Mint masters initials are those of Alexi Chadov, who served at the St. Petersburg Mint from 1839-1843. This example is one of two ever certified by either PCGS or NGC, this being the lone PCGS example. This beauty displays sharp contrast between the perfectly struck and intricate devices and the fully mirrored fields. This pale golden beauty is easy to get lost in with its regal majesty. A clear 39 is visible underneath the 40 hinting that the proof dies were recycled from the prior year. When looking at this most wonderous of Russian pieces, one cannot help wonder if Dostoyevsky was incorrect when he claimed that representing absolute beauty was an "infinitely difficult task." A must have for the collector who seeks to represent this popular type in proof. From the Mark and Lottie Salton Collection.
