1810-СПБ OT Russian Empire Silver Rouble NGC MS-64 St.Petersburg Mint

This is a silver ruble of the Russian Empire dated 1810 from the St. Petersburg mint (СПБ / CNB) with mint master initials OT, of the “date above eagle” variety, graded NGC MS-64. The side featuring the imperial eagle shows the crowned double-headed eagle holding a scepter and orb, with the Moscow arms on its breast and the date 1810 placed above the crown, surrounded by the legend “МОНЕТА РУБЛЬ.” The opposite side displays a crowned four-line inscription reading “ГОСУДАРСТВЕННАЯ РОССІЙСКАЯ МОНЕТА” within a laurel-and-oak wreath, with the mintmark СПБ below. In condition, the coin exhibits strong original mint luster, a sharp strike, and only minor contact marks, fully supporting the near-Gem Mint State 64 grade. The reported mintage for the 1810 St. Petersburg ruble (primarily under the related FG (Fedor Gelman) initials, with OT as a concurrent or transitional variety) is approximately 1,682,663 pieces. NGC has graded 38 coins overall, with two (2) in this grade and one (1) finer; a MS-65.

Struck during the reign of Emperor Alexander I (1801–1825), this non-portrait “state coin” type continued the simplified design adopted after the death of Paul I. By 1810 Russia was heavily engaged in the Napoleonic Wars, and these reduced-weight silver rubles (20.73 g at .868 fine) helped finance military efforts while maintaining a standardized circulating currency. The placement of the date above the eagle marks a minor transitional variety within the series that would evolve further in subsequent years, reflecting the Mint’s ongoing adjustments during a period of intense wartime demand.09834364008216329012