The Russian Empire and one of the most sought after and desired Russian coins are the focus of today’s blog entry in our series covering Whitman Publishing’s 100 Greatest Modern World Coins. Authors Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker describe it as one of the 20th century’s greatest coins, making its presence known not only in the top 100 but in the top 15. The famous czar and family behind it only cement its place.
#12 – Russia 1908 Gold 25 Rubles, Proof
Czar Nicholas II’s reign was one shrouded by not only, and ultimately, collapse, but failure in its ignorance, national defeat, and with reckless actions taken politically and militarily speaking. However, when speaking of the czar and his personal life, he has been described as a dedicated family man, and someone who despite not having the correct tools or experience necessary to lead, wanted nothing but a better outcome for his country than history repeating itself.
During his reign, the 1908 25-ruble gold coin was struck to mark the czar’s 40th birthday. However, it was struck during a decline in not only power but also during political distress. It is only assumed, according to Morgan and Walker, the coin was not intended to be spent in everyday commerce but more so as a “store of wealth.”
The Russian gold coin was struck in 1908, which was the last year of issue for the denomination. For those reasons, the 25-ruble gold coin for that year is very rare as there were only 150 struck with an additional 25 pieces struck in 1910 that were dated 1908. Even more so, the Proof versions are especially rare, with only a reported mintage of 25. It was struck at the Paris Mint in France, as noted by the mintmark on the edge. It conformed to the standards of the Latin Monetary Union, a treaty organization founded in 1865 by France, Italy, Switzerland, and Belgium. The organization was created to attempt at coordinating the monetary systems of Europe into a single currency.