Lot 3742

Description

Constantine, (1825), 1825 dated Medal or ’Pattern Rouble’ comprising 50 medals or pattern roubles in golden alloy, 50 medals or pattern roubles in high grade copper, and 50 in nickel silver, struck to a prooflike/proof finish in limited quantities, FDC. (150)

From a total mintage of only 975 pieces of each metal. Constantine was a Russian duke and younger brother of Alexander I. On the sudden death of Alexander he was next in line for succession. However, he had secretly renounced the claim in favour of Nicholas, in return for Alexander’s permission to divorce his first wife and marry a Polish princess. The arrangement had not been made public, and a group called the ’Decembrists’ tried to seize power while Constantine was in Poland. Nicholas put down the uprising, executed the ringleaders, and took the throne.