Historic Russian Catherine the Great Gold Coin Pendant, 1777

From the Romanov era, period of Catherine II, a rare Russian gold half ruble coin (Poltina) featuring the bust of Empress Catherine II surrounded by the Cyrillic words ЕКАТЕРИ НА ∙ II ∙ IМП. (Ekaterina II-Imp) on the front, the reverse with cipher ЕА – Ekaterina Alekseevna and the words ПОЛТИ НА· 1777 (poltina, 1777), later mounted as an 18k rose gold pendant with oval suspension ring.

1/2 In. (1.3 cm) diam. 7/8 in. (2.2 cm) including suspension ring. Chain not included.

This gold coin was especially minted for the sole use of the Empress in court for card games with her courtiers. Introduced by her predecessor, Elizabeth Petrovna in 1756, Catherine issued the poltina only twice during her reign in 1777 and 1778. This coin was made only during these two reigns and is thus very rare.