The Stack's Bowers Galleries official August ANA World's Fair of Money Auction is edging ever closer. For our preview in this final week of June we have a fantastic and exceedingly rare pattern coin produced in Russia during the reign of Empress Catherine II (the Great). Catherine II, though not a Russian by birth, became Empress following a coup d'état and the assassination of her husband, Emperor Peter III. Her accession came at the conclusion of the Seven Years' War. Russia earned a place among the great powers of Europe under her rule, thanks to her strategy of revitalization and expansion. Her council of advisors, including nobles, generals and admirals, assisted her greatly in the expansion of Russia, both through diplomatic means and military conquest. Catherine continued what Peter the Great started: the modernization of Russia into a more Western European society.

This coin features the crowned arms of Moldavia and Wallachia within a garland of roses atop a pedestal with the date 1773 just below. The reverse displays the dual denomination of Para and Kopeks. Per the 2003 Diakov catalog, at one point Brekke had commented that only three examples had appeared at auction in the preceding century. Struck at Peter Gartenberg's estate in Sadagura (Garden Mountain [in] Slavic), there can be little doubt about the special status of this coin. Very well preserved and clearly struck from the freshest dies, this coin features exceptional strike details and gorgeous color. This piece is absolutely beautiful when viewed in hand and the plethora of blues along with the lilac; aquamarine and rose patina can be truly appreciated. This rare piece combines the numismatic rarity and visual beauty into a powerhouse coin that is guaranteed to bring pride to the most sophisticated of collections.

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Exceedingly Rare Russian Silver Pattern from Moldavia & Wallachia (www.stacksbowers.com/News/Pages/Blogs.aspx?ArticleID=2153)