Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Triton XXV 11-12 Jan 2022
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RUSSIA, Tsardom of Rus. Alexei Mikhailovich Romanov. 1645-1676. AR Yefimok (41mm, 34.03 g). Dated 1655. 1655 in rectangular counterstamp and circular counterstamp of Alexei on horseback right, holding scepter, on a 1589 Antwerp mint Philipsdaalder of Brabant. Spassky p. 127, fig. 91, 13-5; Spassky, Yefimoks 424 corr. (mint; this coin illustrated); KM – (unlisted host). For host: G&H 210-1a; Delmonte, Argent 11. Toned. Countermark VF. Host Good Fine, a few scratches.
From the J. de Wilde Collection. Ex Willy Fuchs Collection (Sotheby's, 24 April 1997), lot 31, purchased from L. Södermann, 5 April 1967.
The introduction of yefimoks, overstruck or countermarked talers, was brought about by the monetary reforms of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich in 1654. The old silver kopecks were to be kept in circulation and in addition talers were to be purchased from foreign merchants and restruck as roubles. The Moscow mint simply could not afford to strike round coins with their old hammer tools as they were liable to frequent breakages and high costs. Eventually, around 800,000 yefimoks were put into circulation, but they were not allowed to be used to pay the government tax and foreigners were only allowed to do business in the older silver kopecks. Their main reason for introduction was to replace the old Polish currency of the recently absorbed Ukraine. Though the reforms proved to be disastrous and yefimoks were demonetized in 1659 after only five years of use, they still saw extensive use in Ukraine alongside the old Polish currency where many have been found in extensive hoards.
From the J. de Wilde Collection. Ex Willy Fuchs Collection (Sotheby's, 24 April 1997), lot 31, purchased from L. Södermann, 5 April 1967.
The introduction of yefimoks, overstruck or countermarked talers, was brought about by the monetary reforms of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich in 1654. The old silver kopecks were to be kept in circulation and in addition talers were to be purchased from foreign merchants and restruck as roubles. The Moscow mint simply could not afford to strike round coins with their old hammer tools as they were liable to frequent breakages and high costs. Eventually, around 800,000 yefimoks were put into circulation, but they were not allowed to be used to pay the government tax and foreigners were only allowed to do business in the older silver kopecks. Their main reason for introduction was to replace the old Polish currency of the recently absorbed Ukraine. Though the reforms proved to be disastrous and yefimoks were demonetized in 1659 after only five years of use, they still saw extensive use in Ukraine alongside the old Polish currency where many have been found in extensive hoards.