1762-СПБ HK Russian Empire Silver Rouble NGC AU Details Catherine II, St.Petersburg Mint

This is a silver ruble of the Russian Empire dated 1762 from the St. Petersburg mint (СПБ / CNB) with mint master initials HK, issued under Empress Catherine II and graded NGC AU Details (Cleaned). The obverse features a right-facing crowned and draped bust of Catherine the Great with an elaborate hairstyle and detailed facial profile, surrounded by the Cyrillic legend “Б•М•ЕКАТЕРИНА•II•ІМП•ІСАМОДЕРЖ•ВСЕРОС” and the mintmark СПБ below. The reverse displays the crowned double-headed imperial eagle holding a scepter and orb, with the Moscow arms on its breast, the date 1762 above the central crown, and the legend “МОНЕТА РУБЛЬ” around the design. In condition, the coin retains sharp, high-relief details and strong overall definition consistent with About Uncirculated, but the surfaces show evidence of cleaning (hairlines and altered toning), resulting in the “Details” designation rather than a numeric grade.

Struck in the first year of Catherine II’s long reign (1762–1796), this ruble marks the beginning of her prolific coinage after she overthrew her husband Peter III in a palace coup. Catherine, a German-born princess who became one of Russia’s most celebrated rulers, expanded the empire’s territory, promoted Enlightenment reforms, and fostered cultural and administrative modernization; her early issues, including these 1762 silver rubles, helped stabilize and continue the standardized monetary system while projecting the new empress’s authority during the critical transition of power.