![Russian Empire, Nicholas II, Commemorative Rouble, 1912 [WC6b-28] - Image 2](https://colonialcoins.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/WC6b-28-1.jpg)
Description
Empire of Russia, Nicholas II of the House of Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov, Emperor of all of Russia, King of Poland and Grand Duke of Finland 1894-1917 AD, Silver Rouble (20.01g, 33mm), 1912, ‘Centenary of the Defeat of Napoleon I’ commemorative issue, Saint Petersburg mint, under mint master Elikum Babayants. Obverse: An abridged/modified Lesser Coat of Arms of the Russian Empire (1882-1917): crowned double-headed Imperial Eagle grasping Imperial Sceptre and Orb, charged with escutcheon bearing Saint George of Lydda slaying the dragon of Silene (for Moscow), the shield is collared with the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called, all over round shield surmounted by the Imperial crown of Russia and encircled by six escutcheons each ensigned with its proper crown, clockwise: Norway, Kazan, Siberia, Astrakhan, Novgorod and Kiev; denomination “РУБЛЬ” below, Cyrillic legend surrounds, “АɅЕКСАНДРЪ I БОЖİЕЮ МИɅОСТİЮ ИМПЕРАТОРЪ И САМОДЕРЖЕЦЪ ВСЕ РОССİЙСКİЙ”. Reverse: Cyrillic legend in five lines, date of Napoleon’s defeat above, date below, “СЛАВНЫЙ ГОДЪ СЕЙ МИНУЛЪ, НО НЕ ПРОЙДУТЪ CОДѢЯННЫЕ ВЪ НЕМЪ ПОДВИГИ”. Edge: Inscription detailing fineness and weight in incuse lettering, “ЧИСТАГО СЕРЕБРА 4 ЗОɅОТНKКА 21 ДОɅѦ ( Э • Б )”. KM Y-68; Bitkin-334. A masterful commemorative issue of 1912 which employs an elaborate obverse heraldic design, some minor hairlines, light grey toning and very handsome in hand, near Mint State.
The obverse Cyrillic legend is royal titulature of Emperor Alexander I and is stated unabridged as “Александр I Божiею милостью импера́тор’ и самоде́ржець всей Росси́и” (transliterated as “Aleksandr I, Bozhieiu Milostiiu, imperator i samodéržecʹ vsej Rossíi”), with an English translation of “Alexander I, by God’s Grace, Emperor and Autocrat of all of Russia”. The reverse Cyrillic legend is stated unabridged as “Cла́вный годъ сей мину́лъ, но не пройду́тъ совершённый въ немъ по́двиги” (transliterated as “Slávnyj godŭ sey mínul, no ne projdút soveršónnyj v njom pódvigi”), with an English meaning of “this glorious year has passed, but the heroic deeds committed in it will not pass”.
