Aleksei Mikhailovich Counterstamped Yefimok (Jefimok) 1655 AU55 PCGS, KM401, cf. Spassky-1120. Host: Johann Georg I Taler 1650 from Saxony (Dav-7612); Counterstamps: Czar on horseback and 1655. The popular Yefimok, presented here with both host and counterstamps remarkably sharp and lustrous, dressed in an old cabinet tone. These issues were part of the unsuccessful reforms made by Aleksei in an attempt to reconstruct the Russian monetary system, as noted by Spassky in The Russian Monetary System. The pair of countermarks would have revalued a Taler to 64 Kopeks, while already cut hosts would have been revalued at 32 Kopeks. Period documents relate that foreigners weren't permitted to use these coins, but were legally obligated to trade with lawful silver Kopeks. This restriction was due to the fact that the majority of counterfeit countermarks were applied to Lion Daalders, which were of a similar size, but lower silver fineness, than the Talers. An elusive offering that is sure to garner much attention from Russian type collectors.

HID09801242017

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