Feb. 16, 2001, The Benson Collection Part 1, Sale 8
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World Crowns and Minors

Russian Coins from the Dr. Robert Hesselgesser Collection

Lot 3740
Russia. Catherine II, the Great (1762-1796). 1796. 2 Kopeks. Br-16. "Cipher Series". Original. Very Rare. Extremely Fine.
Estimated Value $1,000-UP.

Lot 3741
Russia. Catherine II, the Great (1762-1796). 1796. Novodel 1 Kopeck. B-13. Edge-1. Cipher series. Gleaming bluish brown hard luster, some reddish tints. NGC graded MS-62.
Estimated Value $300-400.

Lot 3742
Russia. Catherine II, the Great (1762-1796). 1796. 1 Kopeck. B-14. Edge-1. Novodel. Cipher Series. Dark brown. NGC graded MS-61.
Estimated Value $450-550.

Lot 3743
Russia. Catherine II, the Great (1762-1796). 1796. 1 Kopeck. B-12. Novodel. The Cipher series. Very Rare. Glossy dark-chocolate brown, a delight! NGC graded AU-58.
Estimated Value $450-550.

Lot 3744
Russia. Catherine II, the Great (1762-1796). 1796. 1 Kopeck. B-14. "Cypher Series." Edge 1. Smallish, hand cut flan. Scarce. Good Very Fine.
Estimated Value $250-300.

Lot 3745
Russia. Catherine II, the Great (1762-1796). 1796. Novodel ½ Kopeck. B-8. Edge-1. Cipher series. Golden tan. NGC graded MS-64.
Estimated Value $300-400.

Lot 3746
Russia. Catherine II, the Great (1762-1796). 1796. Denga (½ Kopeck). B-8. Novodel. The Cipher series. Milk-chocolate brown. Much nicer than the number grade suggests. Choice. NGC graded MS-62.
Estimated Value $325-425.

Lot 3747
Russia. Catherine II, the Great (1762-1796). 1796. Polushka (¼ Kopeck). B-4. Edge-0. Novodel. Cipher Series. Rare. Mostly darker brown, hint of red around devices, slightly off center. NGC graded MS-65.
Estimated Value $350-450.

Lot 3748
Russia. Catherine II, the Great (1762-1796). 1796. Polushka (¼ Kopeck). B-2. Edge-1. Novodel. Cipher Series. Very Scarce. Bright orange-red luster starting to tone to brown, sharp, centered, carbon spot on left obverse rim. NGC graded MS-64.
Estimated Value $300-400.

Lot 3749
Russia. Catherine II, the Great (1762-1796). 1796. Polushka (¼ Kopeck). B-4. Novodel. Edge-0. The Cipher Series. Rare. NGC graded MS-64.
Estimated Value $250-350.

Lot 3750
Russia. Catherine II, the Great (1762-1796). 1796. Polushka (¼ Kopeck). B-4. Novodel. Edge-0. The Cipher series. Traces of mint red. Rare. Uncirculated.
Estimated Value $250-400.

Lot 3751
Russia. Paul I (1796-1801). 1797-KM. Denga (½ Kopeck). B-22; KM-N294. Edge-1. Novodel. Reflective surfaces, lovely chocolate brown with bright golden red around the devices. NGC graded MS-65.
Estimated Value $250-300.

Lot 3752
Russia. Paul I (1796-1801). 1797. Denga (½ Kopeck). B-24. No mintmark. Novodel. Edge-1. Dark chocolate, slightly off-center. NGC graded MS-64.
Estimated Value $135-185.

Lot 3753
Russia. Paul I (1796-1801). 1797. Denga (½ Kopeck). EM. B-20. Novodel. Edge-1. NGC graded MS-63.
Estimated Value $135-175.

Lot 3754
Russia. Paul I (1796-1801). 1797-EM. Polushka (¼ Kopeck). B-2. Novodel. Brown fields, the devices outlined in red luster. NGC graded MS-65.
Estimated Value $200-250.

Lot 3755
Russia. Paul I (1796-1801). 1797. Coronation Medal. Silver. 43 mm. by Leberecht. Reichel-2962. Bust right in Uniform. Reverse: Cross. Very Fine to Extremely Fine.
Estimated Value $400-600.

Stunning 1801 Portrait Pattern Ruble

Lot 3756
Russia. Alexander I (1801-1825). 1801 SPB-AI. Portrait Pattern Ruble. Uzd-1317 (RR); Sev-941(RR); Jul-2496 (RRRR); Zander I, p. 93, 94 (RRRR). Novodel Issue (25.98 g). Bare-headed bust of young Alexander right, with long neck. Reverse: Russian eagle. Hairline in right obverse field. With impressive russet to dark gray toning, magenta-flecked, and changing to steel blue and green at the edges. Excessively rare. Much rarer as a Novodel than the original strike. NGC graded AU-55.
Estimated Value $9,000-UP.
It is interesting to compare the weight of this coin with the Goodman specimen (Superior, February 11-12, 1991), which was just 13.77 grams. This is yet further proof of the variability of the weights of Novodels of the Pattern Rubles of 1801-1810, which range from as little as 13 grams, up to 24. (Cf. Zander I, p. 90) This coin even exceeds the recorded top weight.

Lot 3757
Russia. Alexander I (1801-1825). 1802-YeM. Novodel Bronze Set. 5 Kopecks: Uzd-3002; B-104; 62.08 grams. 2 Kopecks: Uzd-3006; B-76; 33.29 grams. 1Kopeck: Uzd-3013; B-47; 10.19 grams. 1 Denga: Uzd-3018; B-26; 9.04 grams. 1 Polushka: Uzd-3022; B-3; 3.9 grams. Nice patinas, two quite red. Lot of 5 coins. About Uncirculated to Uncirculated.
Estimated Value $1,350-UP.

Lot 3758
Russia. Alexander I (1801-1825). 1802. Pattern 2 Kopecks. B-80; KM-Pn56. Plain edge. Novodel. Cipher. Reverse: Value and date. Very Rare. Mostly red with immaculate surfaces. NGC graded MS-66.
Estimated Value $1,000-UP.

Lot 3759
Russia. Alexander I (1801-1825). 1802-EM. Polushka (¼ Kopeck). B-2. Novodel. Edge-0. Variety with mintmark below the eagle. Mostly brown with the devices outlined in mint red. NGC graded Proof 65.
Estimated Value $350-475.

Lot 3760
Russia. Alexander I (1801-1825). 1802-EM. Polushka (¼ Kopeck). B-1. Novodel. Edge-1. Rare. Glossy mahogany-brown surfaces. NGC graded MS-64.
Estimated Value $350-450.

Lot 3761
Russia. Alexander I (1801-1825). 1803-KM. 1 Kopeck. B-53. Edge-1. Novodel. Bright golden red with a bit of brown and some blue iridescence. Lovely, reflective surfaces. NGC graded MS-65.
Estimated Value $300-400.

Lot 3762
Russia. Alexander I (1801-1825). 1804-KM. 2 Kopecks. B-88; KM-N403. Edge-1. Novodel. Light golden brown. NGC graded MS-65.
Estimated Value $300-350.

Lot 3763
Russia. Alexander I (1801-1825). 1804-KM. Polushka. B-13; KM-N400. Edge-1. Novodel. Chocolate-brown surfaces. Uncirculated.
Estimated Value $225-300.

Lot 3764
Russia. Alexander I (1801-1825). 1809-KM. Novodel 2 Kopecks. B-95; KM-N429. Novodel. A choice piece with beautiful medium brown surfaces. NGC graded MS-63.
Estimated Value $350-450.