Dear community ,

In the full version of Conros catalog, it is stated that two kind of 1915 Roubles exist: Low relief and High relief (maybe, similar to Romanow roubles).

My question: How can one clearly distinguish between those varieties? Are there some distinct features (rim width, some dots)? Interestingly, no one else writes about these differences, maybe Kazakov, but I don't have his book.

Here are two Roubles I have. Sometimes it seems to me that one coin has a high relief and another - low. What do you think about them? Maybe, these differences are just imagination of Mr. Semenov from Conros?

Kazakov lists only one variety for 1915. It would be very surprising, considering the low mintage figures, if there were many different dies in use for that year. Of course, we know that they were restruck after the revolution in unknown quantities; however, nowhere is there mention of special dies (it would be nice because then, maybe one could tell which were originals and which were "novodel" Soviet strikes. )

Actually, for standard issue roubles, 1901 seems to be the last year for such obverse die varieties for roubles (1914 pyatak has low and high relief varieties, for example). Looking at your pictures, I cannot see any difference except that the first coin has a little bit more wear than the second. As RW Julian once pointed out, most of the varieties of this kind can be differentiated by the position of the denticles relative to the legend text. They look exactly the same to me.

Hmm....Never heard of this before for 1915...

Thanks for your comment, Bob! Funny is that, after I got to know about these varieties from Conros, one day one coin seems to have a relief struck and another day - another one. Today they seem to be the same

Me too Conros is the only source listing it

Is it the new one, 2007 ?

No, it's 8th edition (2006), full version, no 82/61 (low relief, $100 in VF) and 82/62 (high relief, $300 in VF)

I do not have that one... BTW, how can I order 2007 catalog to the States ?

Oh, this I haven't tried, I always took the Conros books while visiting my parents in Russia. Try to contact them, I think that's possible. On the last Numismata (coin fair in Germany) they also had books for sale

Thanks, I'll try. I have no plan on going to Russia any time soon
Hopefully, someone from Conros will be in New York in 2 weeks for the International Coin Convention and I'll be able to get a copy.
Are you coming?

The Oldman

Would be great to attend, but I'm in Cologne, Germany, unfortunately it's far away

Just 6-7 hours

This is the first time that I have heard of the high and low relief issues for 1915. The 1915 obverse hub was first used in 1914 and I have not seen any difference in the relationship of the denticles to the lettering for either year. Perhaps someone at Conros saw an especially well-struck 1915 proof rouble having the appearance of high relief for the portrait.

RWJ

This is something I wanted to ask for a long time. Remember how the Gangut ruble, 1911 10 rubles (?) and 1915 ruble were restruck later during the Soviet era? Is it not possible that the quality differed so much that it had higher relief?

Conros people sold a few 1915 Rubles that were listed with this text: "Ruble 1915-BC, Silver, Possible high relief variety".

Рубль 1915 г. ВС Ag. Возможно рельефный чекан.

Here are the links to these "possibly high relief" coins:

http://auction.conros.ru/auction.cgi?lotID=91889
http://auction.conros.ru/auction.cgi?lotID=109914

Do they really look as high relief?

And since Conros used word "possible", it means they can not actually distinguish it too.

WCO

January 13, 4PM Meeting: Russian Numismatic Society
Program: TBA
Sutton Suite

Mr. Conros himself might be there. He always brings a few books for sale.
Stop by.

If I make to the NYC this year, I'll likely see you all there. Thanks !

These two different lots actually show the same coin. However, they are in two different auctions, so I suppose this is OK.

There are many distinguishing marks, such as the scratch at 2 o'clock and rim ding at 6 o'clock (both on the obverse). But it is not "high relief", IMHO.

bobh,

Right, this is the same coin, just was for sale on two different auctions. Thanks for showing.
Agree with you, it's NOT a "high relief". IMHO

WCO

I hadn't visited the Conros site before. Thanks for providing the link. Is it possible to search through all the auctions for specific coins/dates? I am looking for history for any 1826 Nicholas I roubles (rubles?). (By the way, what IS the accepted spelling in English for a Rouble (Ruble)?)

Also, I notice that "Coin People" is/are using my 5 Kopek Novodel picture on the home page at far right. This coin is listed in my collection in OmniCoin. I think it would be nice to credit the collection along with the picture. Nobody asked for permission (it's not really necessary - but would be nice) to post this picture.

Thanks.

I think either spelling should be okay. Rouble seems more common and I believe is derived from the French translation. Germans seem to use Rubel. Direct transliteration from Russian gives Rubl', which doesn't seem to work well in English, hence Ruble. Either Rouble or Ruble is okay with me, although others might disagree. The main thing is that your meaning is understood and either spelling should accomplish that goal.






It looks like the picture has been removed by the board admin(s), probably as a result of your post.

Nice coin!

BTW, welcome to CP!