Lot 499, Hess-Divo 306

[bobh]

About one month ago I went down to their place of business to look at this lot of 50 kopeek coins -- since I am working on a set of Nicholas II poltinas by date and MM (well, maybe except for 1903 I will someday make it ), I was particularly interested in this lot.

 

There was a mistake in the catalog; there were actually 9 coins and not 8. There were three coins from before Nicholas II: 1855, an 1876 and an 1877. According to the catalog, there was red ink grafitti on the 1876: well, it was actually on the 1877, which is a much more common coin. However, the 1876 only grades VF-30 or so. This was not mentioned during the auction, although I pointed it out to them when I looked at the coins. It is possible that the bidding would have gone even higher if this had been publicly announced.

 

The 1877 coin would grade about XF-45 were it not for the red ink. All of the other coins (except for 1876 in VF-30) were AU or better. The prize of the lot, the 1902 coin, in my opinion, was actually an impaired proof. I am still not convinced that it didn't have a thin coating of lacquer, although Mr. Künker from Hess-Divo assured me that it was just patina after examining it under a microscope. He also agreed that it was probably a proof, but since it was too far gone, couldn't be advertised as such (?!? ).

 

As to the rest:

 

1855 - quite a little gem, prooflike IMHO

1909 - heavy patina, some rim dings

1910 - noticeable rim dings

1912 - some small scratches

1913 (B.C) - rim dings

1914 - probably the 1st obverse variety (narrow rim)

 

It was difficult trying to decide what a fair price for these would be, especially given the tenuous "proof or not" status of the 1902. I was actually only interested in the 1902 and the 1909, since I don't really collect the pre-Nicholas II coins, and I have nice examples of all but those two. I am actually rather angry that they didn't decide to split the lot up, or at least auction the 1902 separately. Might have saved me from having to sit through the entire auction!

 

If anyone reading this forum has seen this lot in person, I would be very interested to have your opinion!