The June 4, 2000, Dr. Jon Kardatzke Collection Parts II & III, Sale 5

Catherine II, the Great (1762-1796)

 Peter III's wife, Sophia, grew up somewhat sheltered in a small German principality. Forced into marriage with a man much her inferior, she found herself isolated at court and intimidated by a husband who ignored her in favor of several love affairs. Only fifteen when she came to Moscow in 1744 to marry the future czar, she used her considerable intelligence to learn the Russian language, which she soon mastered as well as the French she knew as a child. She changed her name to Catherine and immersed herself in the literature of the Enlightenment. When the palace coup made her Empress, she was ready to rule her new homeland. She had energy to spare, and a seemingly natural ability to govern. Moreover, she eagerly engaged in political intrigue and seemed possessed of the iron will and ambition that many remembered about Peter the Great. However, she lacked his great character. Vain and amorous, she used propaganda to manipulate others to the point of ruthlessness. She lied easily and was egotistical. Merciful she was not, and even her greatest admirers admitted she looked best dressed in masculine attire. Despite her enchantment with enlightened views, her own beliefs were never transparent. Most notorious, however, were her numerous love affairs-out of one of which, most likely, came her own heir (rather than from her marriage to Peter III). These affairs lasted until she was in her sixties. Among her lovers was Potemkin. By winning the Second Turkish War, Russia finally defined her southern boundaries. Catherine the Great's reign also witnessed the partitioning or dividing up of its traditional enemy, Poland, on three occasions-in 1772, 1793 and 1795-ultimately giving Lithuania and the Ukraine over to Russian domination. It meant that Poland ceased to exist as an independent country, but also that the Poles would side with Napoleon in 1812 against Imperial Russia.

Lot 5350
RUSSIA. Ruble, 1762. NK-SP'. Dav-1683; Sev-1902. Catherine II. NGC graded AU-55.
Estimated Value $400-500.
Ex Irving Goodman Sale, Feb 1991, Lot 438.

Lot 5351
RUSSIA. Ruble, 1763. MMA-EI. Dav-1683; Sev-1913. Catherine II. Prooflike fields. NGC graded AU-55.
Estimated Value $600-800.

Lot 5352
RUSSIA. Ruble, 1763. SP' YaI. Dav-1683; Sev-1917. Catherine II. Scarce assayer. Toned light gray and attractive. NGC graded AU-55.
Estimated Value $300-400.

Lot 5353
RUSSIA. Ruble, 1763. NK-SP'. Dav-1683; Sev-1915. Catherine II. Toned. NGC graded EF-45.
Estimated Value $250-350.

Lot 5354
RUSSIA. Ruble, 1763. SP'-YaI.Dav-1683; Sev-1917. Catherine II. Attractively toned light silvery gray with some iridescent highlights. Very Fine to Extremely Fine.
Estimated Value $150-200.

Lot 5355
RUSSIA. 1 Kopeck, 1763. B-106. Edge-5. Novodel. Catherine II. Bold, reddish brown, superb. NGC graded MS-67.
Estimated Value $300-UP.

Lot 5356
RUSSIA. 1 Kopeck, 1763. B-106. Edge-5. Novodel. Catherine II. Most pleasing reddish brown with some lovely blue iridescence. Sharp. NGC graded MS-66.
Estimated Value $300-UP.

Lot 5357
RUSSIA. Ruble, 1764. SP' YaI. Dav-1683; Sev-1937. Catherine II. Steel-gray toning. NGC graded AU-55.
Estimated Value $300-400.

Lot 5358
RUSSIA. Ruble, 1764. SP' CA. Dav-1683; Sev-1940. Catherine II. Medium golden gray toning. Exceptionally nice surfaces. NGC graded EF-45.
Estimated Value $200-250.

Lot 5359
RUSSIA. 15 Kopecks, 1764. MMD. H-148; KM-62.1. Catherine II. Nice Fine.
Estimated Value $20-30.

Lot 5360
RUSSIA. 15 Kopeck Lot: 1764, 1765, 1769. H-148; Cr-62.1, 62a. Catherine II. Some with flaws. Lot of 3 coins. Very Good to Fine.
Estimated Value $30-50.

Lot 5361
RUSSIA. Poltina (½ Ruble), 1765. YaI-SP'. H-155; Sev-1953. Catherine II. Toned. NGC graded AU-50.
Estimated Value $300-400.

Lot 5362
RUSSIA. Polupoltinnik (¼ Ruble), 1765. EI-MMA. H-152; Sev-1950. Catherine II. NGC graded AU-55.
Estimated Value $200-250.

Lot 5363
RUSSIA. Polupoltinnik, 1765-EI. MMD. Sev-1950 (Rare); H-152; Cr-65. Catherine II. Variety with dot above assayer. About Very Fine.
Estimated Value $50-75.

Lot 5364
RUSSIA. 15 Kopecks, 1765. MMD. Sev-1944; Cr-62.1. Catherine II. Toned.
Estimated Value $50-75.

Lot 5365
RUSSIA. 10 Kopecks, 1765. B-212. Novodel. Edge-5. Catherine II. Too large for holder, comes with tag. Just magnificent! Glossy chocolate brown with the devices outlined in some mint red. High, square rims. NGC graded MS-66.
Estimated Value $500-UP.

Lot 5366
RUSSIA. 5 Kopecks, 1765-EM. B-206B. Novodel. Edge-5. Catherine II. Very Rare. Too large for slab; with ticket. This is a magnificent, huge copper coin! Glossy brown surfaces with rosy-red luster fading but evident in the centers. The strike is bold, the rims high and unblemished. Additionally, a hint of bluish iridescence gives an added dimension of appeal to this glorious piece. NGC graded MS-66 Red and Brown.
Estimated Value $750-UP.

Lot 5367
RUSSIA. 2 Kopecks, 1765. B-151. Novodel. Edge-1. Catherine II. St. George. A stunning specimen with bright mint red surrounding all the devices, otherwise iridescent bluish brown. PCGS graded MS-65.
Estimated Value $400-500.

Lot 5368
RUSSIA. Novodel Kopeck, 1765. B-115 RE. Elisabeth. Dark brown, centered, rim bulge left obverse. NGC graded MS-63.
Estimated Value $250-350.
Ex Irving Goodman Sale, Feb 1991, Lot 553.

Lot 5369
RUSSIA. Denga (½ Kopeck), 1765. B-53. Novodel. Edge-1. Catherine II. Reddish brown, the mint red faded but lovely, some light blue iridescence, well struck and well centered. NGC graded MS-64.
Estimated Value $300-400.

Lot 5370
RUSSIA. Denga (½ Kopeck), 1765. B-53. Novodel. Edge-1. Catherine II. Chocolate brown, a hint of red, very pleasing for the grade. NGC graded AU-58.
Estimated Value $175-225.

Lot 5371
RUSSIA. Denga, 1765. B-52. Edge-1. Novodel. Catherine II. St. George. Light brown. Extremely Fine.
Estimated Value $150-200.

Lot 5372
RUSSIA. Polushka (¼ Kopeck), 1765. B-2; KM-N81. Novodel. Edge-1. Catherine II. A bit of orange red mint color but mostly brown with hard luster. NGC graded MS-63.
Estimated Value $250-300.

Lot 5373
RUSSIA. Polushka (¼ Kopeck), 1765. B-Unlisted. Edge-5. Catherine II. Soft brown luster with a hint of brick-red color. NGC graded MS-62.
Estimated Value $300-400.

Lot 5374
RUSSIA. Polushka (¼ Kopeck), 1765-EM. B-3. Novodel. Catherine II. Reverse scratches, but the surfaces are a lovely light brown with hints of mint red. About Uncirculated.
Estimated Value $125-175.

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