IgorS

Actually, these tokens are a separate area of collecting. They are not a form of money and were used strictly for accounting purposes related to peasants supplying coal to the steel and other metal mills. Here is a definition from Zander's numismatic dictionary: Coal Mine Token (угольные печатки). These were much used in the Urals in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. In early times, some were of birch bark and leather. Later all were made of metal. There are many publications on the topic.

I am sure Mr. Arefiev has it. There are 3 or 4 plates with cipher coins in the catalog.

1984 Sotheby's Virgil Brand sale Part 4. Many novodels and original 10 kopeks. The collection itself is very old. Brand was buying in all the early important auctions.

J. Schulman, December 15 1931, Collection of Michel Garchine. There are two 1796 dengas pictured in the catalog.

I agree, but it is not ex. jewellery, it is still a jewellery - the coin is in the bezel. The edge is not a part of the coin itself.

The word "ideal" caught my attention as well. It probably originated from the title on the Russian forum "Идеальная коллекция", where the image of the coin is now posted. Right Eugene?

As grivna1726 mentioned, PAK (Russian American Company) money were on parchment paper. No coins are known. There is a document from 1803 specifically calling for not having coins for PAK, since locals would most likely use them for other purposes than as money.

Unfortunately prices at the auctions you mentioned are not to be fully trusted. But anything is possible. Market did drop in half, due to rouble to USD exchange rate.

It is a little confusing. Where there original dies without last digit 6? If yes, why not use them to add the 6 and strike coins? Why cut new dies?

We remember Ronald and his dedication to the database project. RONALD B. VLACK COLLECTION (1935-2015) _______________________________________________________________ A high-ranking business executive residing in White Plains, NY, Ronald B. Vlack (1935-2015) grew very interested in Russian numismatics in the 1970’s and became an active and dedicated buyer. He acquired most of his coins from the mid-1970’s to the mid-1990’s. After his retirement, Ron worked tirelessly for over a decade creating a database for Russian numismatics. A mission impossible for one man, the database alas was never completed. But still it stands as testimony to his devotion. Over the past few years, we have been selling a select few of Ron’s coins in auction. Some highlights include a Paul 1798 5 Roubles from the Grand Duke George Mikhailovich Collection Sale, an 1803 Poltina and an 1802 Polupoltinnik from the Virgil Brand Collection Sale, a magnificent House of Romanov Tercentenary Medal, various 19th Century Proof Roubles and Poltinas, and a complete 1828 Pattern Trial Set of 2 and 1 Kopecks and Denga. This offering here is a larger continuation, for we are offering a major part of his collection here. Ron had a sharp eye for quality, so collectors will find some superb pieces in this offering. Among his favorite coins were the copper coinage of Nicholas I of all three series, particularly patterns. One of the stars of his collection and of this sale is a complete set of 1849 CΠM Patterns. We are proud to offer Ron Vlack’s fine collection to the numismatic community. Happy bidding and good luck to all. It was Mr. Vlack’s wish, as it is his family’s, that his coins be offered ‘raw’, unslabbed. We have cataloged and graded his coins with care and on the conservative side. Winning bidders can anticipate some positive grading surprises and potential. However, we encourage bidders to carefully examine every coin as the cataloger cannot guarantee the future performance of U.S. or foreign certification service companies. Curious and resolute collectors will likely locate additional provenances for coins which we were unable to find in pre-1995 sales catalogs. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ В соответствии с желанием мистера Влака и его семьи, его монеты предлагаются к продаже в их первозданном виде, без всяких вмешательств и слабов. Вся коллекция каталогизирована очень консервативно, и мы убеждены, что многие победители торгов будут приятно удивлены впоследстии, если захотят отправить их на грейдинг и слабирование. Тем не менее, мы рекомендуем участникам торгов внимательно изучить каждую монету, так как аукционер-каталогизатор не может гарантировать, что его экспертное мнение всегда совпадает с экспертным мнением NGC и других независимых грейдинговых кампаний. В монетах коллекции много дополнительного потенциала для основательных коллекционеров в плане нахождения происхождения монет и их родословных. http://64.60.141.195/photos/FlippingBook/95c/THENEWYORKSALEauctionXLI/index.html

That's Dr. Hesselgesser. He collected very nice Russian coins in the 1990th. After that they were auctioned off by Superior Galleries and Goldberg Coin Auctions. It took about 5 years to auction them off. There were many novodels in the mix. Most were slabbed with his name on it. Where did you see the latest offering?

Thanks. The quality of the images is so-so, that's why I asked.

What is the source of the images?

Alexander, is it a trick question? I do not believe it to be a parameters mentioned in any catalogs. But having silver fineness, diameter and weight you should be able to figure it out.

Looks better now. There are still things there that could be improved, but that can be done in time by the project supporters.

Dear Alexander, I will leave it in your able hands to make the changes. Sorry, too many other commitments. If you make the changes I had mentioned above, the result will be much better. Good luck with the project!

I now glanced at your other section - the roubles of 1704-1705. I wonder if this description is clear to anyone - "crown above eagle is open on edges". I usually see in the descriptions "open" or "closed", so not sure if adding "on edges" clarifies it further or not. You should also flip the pictures of the last reverse and the last obverse, since that obverse comes only with that reverse. That is a very rare "struck in collar" variety (you should change "minted in a circle" to "struck in collar"). Also, not exactly sure on the meaning of this - "Crown above eagle is short"?

Well, it is a start! In the photographs, you are missing one of the 1710 reverses - Bitkin 192. You should also list Bitkin 192, 193 and 194 in your alt# section

In my catalog (First Edition) - 130.4 is small bust w/G on sleve (Davenport 1646) Alexander, I am sure you realized - if date is in () in Krause, it is a Slavic date. Also, your task is not an easy one, and it will not pay off at the end . But, if you want to spend more time on it, you can go on m-dv through the coins sold at the US auctions (Goldberg, Heritage, Stacks, etc.) a\nd see how they attributed them to Krause, Davenport, Bitkin, etc.

I followed your link and now understand more about your project. The best is to go to this site: http://www.m-dv.ru/monety-rossii-1700-1917/kid,7/mid,5/nid,22/types.html There you can match the pictures of the obverses against Krause and see the descriptions you looking for. You can also see the subtypes for each bust type, if they exist. Skip Novodels.

Hello, Alexander. I read your post on coins.su. You made me reach for the book that was sitting on the shelf collecting dust for the past 12-15 years. It appears that photographs for 130.1, 130.2, 130.3, and 130.4 are there in the catalog (mine does not have 130.5 ) Pictures seem to be self explanatory. Rarenum motioned the basic differences. Tell us more, so we would know what you are after.

I won a medal there. Actually, it was in a lot with other few. A very rare original striking, but only in white metal. Silver or gold would be more desirable, but not for my budget. It is from the Muller series for the Northern war. This one is for Capture of Livland, 1710.

Sigi, I am guessing you won this one at the last Kunker's eAuction? This is the very first medal in the Diakov's catalog of the medals 1672-1917!

All the participants on both sides of the medal do not look too attractive, to say the least. Yudin did not do a good job making this copy. The Werner's original is better.

Thank you for providing the original link. I participated in the bidding, but things quickly became out of my league.