Gold Coin Of Catherine II. 10 Rubles After The 1767 Model Mdp 1972.

Gold coin struck after the model of the original Russian 10-ruble coin of Catherine II dated 1767. Minted in high-purity gold with precise preservation of proportions and relief of the historical prototype created at the Saint Petersburg Mint during the reign of Catherine the Great. Obverse: Bust of Catherine II facing right, wearing imperial garments, surrounded by the inscription: "B.M. EKATERINA. II. IMP. I SAMOD. VSEROS." Beneath the portrait - initials of the mint master "T.I." (Timofei Ivanov) and mint mark "SPB".Reverse: Central image of the double-headed imperial eagle holding sceptre and orb, encircled by four shields bearing the arms of Moscow, Kazan, Astrakhan and Siberia. Imperial crown above; around the edge the legend "MON. TsENA DESYaT. RUB." and the date "1767". Hallmarks: (Monnaie de Paris) mark on the edge. PCGS Certificate No. 976663.66 / 55476476, grade MS66.Dimensions: Diameter 24 mm; thickness 0.2 mm.Weight: 10.15 g.Condition: Superb preservation; numismatic state MS66 by PCGS scale - uncirculated strike with bright lustre and minimal mint traces.Provenance: Monnaie de Paris (MDP), France, 1972.

The 10-ruble gold coin of 1767 is among the most prestigious issues of Catherine II's reign, a symbol of the might and unity of the Russian Empire in the 18th century. Such coins held not only monetary but also ceremonial significance - presented as awards or diplomatic gifts, embodying imperial power and refinement. Catherine's coinage reached exceptional artistic quality, combining elegant portraiture with heraldic complexity. The arms of the Russian realms reinforced the idea of imperial cohesion, while the Empress's profile embodied enlightened authority. In 1972, Monnaie de Paris produced a limited series of high-quality reproductions of 18th-century masterpieces, including this celebrated ten-ruble coin. Executed with museum-level precision, it stands as a tribute to the legacy of European and Russian minting traditions.