Lot 2291

Description

Russia, Alexander III, silver rouble, 1893 AG (KM.Y.46; Dav.292). Minor edge knock, otherwise nearly extremely fine and rare.

Ex Prince Michael Andreevich of Russia (1920-2008) Collection. He was born in Versailles, the second child and the eldest son of Prince Andrei Alexandrovich of Russia (1897-1981) and Donna Elisabetta di Sasso-Ruffo (1886-1940). He was a grandson of Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich of Russia and Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna of Russia and a great nephew of Nicholas II, the last Emperor of Russia. From his father's first marriage he had two siblings, an older sister Xenia and a younger brother Andrew. From his father's second marriage he had one half sister, Olga. Prince Michael Andreevich was educated at Beaumont College in Old Windsor, and lived with his parents and his grandmother Grand Duchess Xenia in exile at Frogmore Cottage on the grounds of Windsor Castle and later at Wilderness House until he was commissioned to serve in the Royal Navy during World War II. During the war Michael served in Australia with the Fleet Air Arm. He moved there permanently following the conclusion of the war and became an aviation engineer. He became the Grand Prior and Imperial Protector of The Sovereign Order of the Orthodox Knights Hospitaller of St. John of Jerusalem in 2006, after the death of Grand Prior Count Nicholas Bobrinskoy. He had great interest in the humanitarian work of the order and officiated at all its services. He also attended several historical Romanoff events. His great grandfather was Czar Alexander III the ruler under whom this coin was struck.