1802-СПБ AN Russian Empire Silver Rouble NGC MS-65 St.Petersburg Mint

This is a silver ruble of the Russian Empire dated 1802 from the St. Petersburg mint (СПБ / CNB) with mint master initials AN, issued under Emperor Alexander I and graded NGC MS 65. The side featuring the imperial eagle (obverse) shows the crowned double-headed eagle holding a scepter and orb, with the Moscow arms on its breast, the date 1802 above, and the surrounding legend “МОНЕТА РУБЛЬ.” The opposite side (reverse) displays a crowned inscription in five lines reading “ГОСУДАРСТВЕННАЯ РОССІЙСКАЯ МОНЕТА РУБЛЬ” within a laurel-and-oak wreath, with the mintmark СПБ below. In condition, the coin is exceptional, with fully original mint luster, sharp strikes, virtually mark-free surfaces, and attractive even toning, fully justifying the high Mint State 65 grade. NGC has graded 101 coins overall, with 2 in this grade with none finer. This is a TOP-POP and tied with one other example for finest certified.

Struck in the second year of Alexander I’s long reign (1801–1825), this non-portrait “state coin” type reflects the early monetary issues following the assassination of his father Paul I. Alexander initially pursued liberal reforms and Enlightenment ideals before the Napoleonic Wars dominated his rule; these large silver rubles, produced to the established weight and fineness standards, helped stabilize the currency during a period of political transition and growing European conflict, while the simplified eagle-and-inscription design marked a return to more traditional imperial iconography after Paul I’s distinctive cross-and-motto series.