1743-ММД Russian Empire Silver Rouble NGC AU-55 Moscow Mint

This is a silver ruble of the Russian Empire dated 1743 from the Moscow mint (ММД / MMA), graded NGC AU 55. The obverse shows a crowned and draped right-facing bust of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna with an elaborate hairstyle and detailed facial features, surrounded by the Cyrillic legend “Б•М•ЕЛИСАВЕТЪ•I•IМП: IСАМОД: ВСЕРОС:” and the mintmark M•M•A (ММД) below the bust. The reverse features the crowned double-headed imperial eagle holding a scepter and orb, with the Moscow arms (St. George) on its breast, the date 1743 above the central crown, and the legend “МОНЕТА РУБЛЬ” around the design. In condition, the coin displays strong remaining detail with light to moderate wear confined mainly to the highest points of the portrait and eagle, attractive original luster beneath mottled toning, and only minor surface marks, fully consistent with a solid About Uncirculated grade. NGC has graded 31 coins overall, with 3 in this grade and 11 finer; highest is MS-63.

Struck under Empress Elizabeth Petrovna (1741–1762), daughter of Peter the Great who came to power through a palace coup, this ruble continues the standardized silver coinage established in the Petrine era. Elizabeth’s reign emphasized cultural flourishing—including the founding of Moscow University and the Academy of Fine Arts—while maintaining Russia’s military and diplomatic presence in European affairs; the year 1743 fell early in her rule, during a period of relative internal consolidation after the turbulent successions of the 1730s and early 1740s. These large silver rubles remained the principal high-value circulating coin of the empire and reflect the continuity of imperial iconography and minting standards under the later Romanovs.