On Sunday, November 17, 2013, bidders from around the world competed at GreatCollections for a rare Russian coin from 1753.  The coin was a Gold Ducat (Eagle Reverse) graded NGC XF-45 and sold for $47,300, a new Russian price record at the Irvine, California firm.

Ian Russell, President and owner of GreatCollections said: "Early coins from Russia are extremely rare and popular.  Once this coin was authenticated by NGC, we were confident of a bidding war to acquire this rarity."

60 bids in total were received for the coin after GreatCollections marketed the coin to buyers in Russia, Canada, Asia and the United States.

Interestingly, the coin had a slightly bent planchet.  All genuine examples of this coin exhibit the same planchet defects.  The coin was consigned to GreatCollections by a private collector who acquired the coin several decades ago.

Russia 1753 (February 5) Gold Ducat Eagle Reverse NGC XF-45