Almost before people have got over their New Year's champagne in January, a major sale of Russian coins and medals is brewing, of such proportions that three auction houses are joining forces to cover it properly .
The auctioneers M&M Numismatics, Dmitry Markov and Baldwin's are all teaming up for the auction which will offer 700 lots, highlighted by pieces from the high-quality collection of Walter Mooromsky.
Mooromsky was born to Russian peasants in China, and was part of the first White army to find the site where the Romanovs had been killed. He later lived in America but remained fiercely proud of his Russian heritage and built up a first class collection.
 Order of the White Eagle medal |
Russian collectibles in general and Russian coins and medals in particular have been booming in recent times as we've seen in particular in Baldwin's sales, as well as at Morton and Eden.
We'll take some time over covering the auction, but just to make a start, here are three of the most exciting eagles/badges from the medals section - all from the Mooromsky collection:
A neck badge for the Order of the White Eagle - awarded to those who had already been awarded the Order of St Andrew the First Complex is a fantastic, problem-free gold and enamel multipiece construction, which is expected to bring $30,000.
Likewise a cross representing the Order of St Anne, First Class, of the rather spectacular Flat Black Enamel type and described by the auctioneer as very rare, choice and problem free should bring $30,000.
 Order of St Staninslaus medal |
The likely top lot however is an Order of St Stanislaus, Second Class Cross with Imperial Crown by Julius Keibel. Superbly preserved, the crowned red enamelled gold cross is expected to bring $75,000, though this and the other listings may be cautious given the results Russian medals have been having of late.
The sale takes place in New York and online on January 6 2011. Watch this space for more news on the exciting sale.
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