NGC-certified Russian Coins Excel in Stack's Bowers Auction

Seven coins from a stunning collection of Russian Imperial Era rarities each realized more than $100,000 in a recent Stack's Bowers auction. The Rothschild-Piatigorsky Collection, certified by Numismatic Guaranty Company® (NGC®), generated enthusiastic bidding in the January 2024 NYINC Auction on January 13, 2024.

The top coin from the collection in the sale was a Russia 1897 AT 10 Roubles graded NGC MS 61 (lot 54385), which realized $360,000. The coin shows Nicholas II, the last emperor of Russia, who ruled from 1894 until being deposed in 1917 amid the Russian Revolution. It is one of only three examples in the NGC Census, and it has the second-highest grade.

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The next-highest price realized was for a coin from the reign of Emperor Alexander II, the grandfather of Nicholas II. The Russia 1876CNB 25 Roubles graded NGC Proof Details (lot 54358) realized $240,000. It was struck for the 30th birthday of one of Alexander II's sons, Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich. The bill still exists for the 1939 sale of this rarity for $306 to "Madame Piatigorski."

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The Rothschild-Piatigorsky Collection was assembled by celebrated cellist Gregor Piatigorsky and Baroness Jacqueline de Rothschild, an heiress from an affluent French family. After fleeing his homeland after the Russian Revolution, Piatigorsky became the principal cellist at the Berlin Philharmonic and married de Rothschild in 1937. They were forced to flee Europe during World War II, finally settling in the United States.

The vast majority of the coins from this NGC-certified collection exceeded their pre-auction estimates. Other highlights included:

• a Russia 1902 37.5 Roubles graded NGC MS 62 (lot 54383) that realized $222,000
• a Russia 1762CNB 10 Roubles graded NGC MS 62 (lot 54313) that realized $168,000
• a Russia 1726/5 2 Roubles graded NGC MS 61 (lot 54297) that realized $156,000
• a Russia 1720 2 Roubles graded NGC MS 65 (lot 54291) that realized $120,000
• a Russia 1727 2 Roubles - Peter II, Hair Tie graded NGC AU 53 (lot 54300) that realized $114,000
• a Russia 1762CNB 5 Roubles (lot 54314) that realized $90,000
• a Russia 1756CNB Novodel 10 Roubles graded NGC MS 63 (lot 54306) that realized $84,000
• a Russia 1798CM OU 5 Roubles graded NGC MS 62 (lot 54329) that realized $75,000

Prices realized include buyer's premium.