Ruble - Nikolai I Marriage of Grand Duke Alexander Nikolaevich

Emissor Russian Empire
Ano 1841
Tipo Non-circulating coin
Valor 1 Rouble (1 Рубль)
Moeda Rouble (1700-1917)
Composição Silver (.868)
Peso 20.73 g
Diâmetro 35.5 mm
Espessura
Formato Round
Técnica Milled
Orientação Medal alignment ↑↑
Gravador(es) Obverse: Heinrich Gube
Reverse: Nikolay Grachev
Em circulação até
Referência(s) Bit#898
Descrição do anverso In the center of the image of Maria Alexandrovna and Alexander Nikolayevich.
Escrita do anverso Cyrillic
Legenda do anverso В∙К∙ МАРIЯ АЛЕКСАНДРОВНА * В∙К∙ АЛЕКСАНДР НИКОЛАЕВИЧ * РѢЗАЛЪ ГУБЕ
(Translation: Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna * Grand Duke Alexander Nikolaevich Cut Gube)
Descrição do reverso In the center of the shield, inside the shield the monogram `AM` (Alexander and Maria), above it the Imperial crown, the right of the shield – Cupid with bow in left hand, left – Psyche with a stem of blooming lilies in his right hand, beneath the inscription `APRIL 16` below `1841` (date of marriage).
Escrita do reverso Cyrillic
Legenda do reverso АМ С.П.Б. Н. Г. 16 АПРѢЛЯ 1841 Г.
(Translation: SPB N. G. April 16, 1841 year)
Bordo Reeded
Casa da moeda
Tiragem 1841 СПБ - St. Petersburg Mint -
ID Numisquare 1147269570
Informações adicionais

Historical Context: Nikolai I (1825-1855), a staunch autocrat, governed a stable Russian Empire. This 1841 ruble commemorates the marriage of his heir, Grand Duke Alexander Nikolaevich (future Alexander II), to Princess Marie of Hesse. This pivotal dynastic event solidified the succession and projected imperial prestige. Such commemorative issues served as significant state pronouncements, reinforcing Romanov authority and celebrating key family milestones amidst Russia's mid-19th century imperial ambitions and internal consolidation.

Artistry: The coin's artistic style, reflecting European Neoclassicism, is evident in its detailed portraiture. Produced at the St. Petersburg Mint, the obverse busts of the Grand Duke and Duchess are attributed to A. Lyalin, with the reverse (imperial crown and monograms) by P. Utkin. This collaboration yielded a design combining classical dignity with meticulous heraldic detail. While engraver signatures are not prominent on the coin, their identities are documented in mint records, typical for Russian imperial issues of this era.

Technical/Grading: For optimal grading, focus on the obverse portraits' high-points: the Grand Duke's uniform details and the Grand Duchess's coiffure and jewelry. On the reverse, the imperial crown's sharpness and the clarity of the intertwined monograms are critical. The large, open fields are prone to contact marks, thus an unblemished surface is a premium attribute. Full, even luster and a crisp, well-defined rim are also crucial indicators of a superior strike and preservation for this commemorative silver issue.

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