Lote 2583. 1835. AR Pattern 1-1/2 Rubles/10 Zlotych "Family Ruble". St. Petersburg Mint. Bare headed portrait of Tsar Nicholas right, flanked by dual denominations and with engravers full name (Pavel Utkin) below / The Tsarina's bust is in the center and around her are portraits of their seven children, all are encircled. The engravers name is repeated at 6:00. Gum. 2552; Kop. 9442 (R8); Sev. 3114 (RRRR); Dav. 286 (listed under Russia); Jul. 1247. Proof-like AU.Ex World Wide Coins Auction 4 (24 May 1983), lot 701.A piece graded as Lightly Hairlined Proof-like UNC realized $41,400 in the summer of 2000 Renaissance sale.The Emperor was very pleased with the idea of a medallic coin but he ordered his wife's portrait re-done (the original reminded him of his mother). The dies were re-engraved and the Emperor then approved the modified dies and ordered 100 pieces struck.Certainly one of the highlights of Mr. Karolkiewicz's collection is this complete four-piece set of these beautiful and rare coins. Few collectors have ever managed this feat! Mr. Karolkiewicz has placed them within the Congress Kingdom of Poland section of his collection, rather than the pure Russian portion, due to their dual denominations and their inclusion in most Polish catalogs. The history behind these pieces is quite interesting and worthy of inclusion at this point. In 1835 the Russian Finance Minister, Count Kankrin, received from the Russian Ambassador in Munich, a packet of 15 Bavarian Commemorative Talars for the St. Petersburg Mint collection. One of these, the 1828 "Blessings of Heaven" multiple portrait piece intrigued him. To this point in time, Emperor Nicholas I had not allowed any coins to be produced, for circulation, with his portrait on them. However, Kankrin was hopeful that Nicholas would change his mind if he saw a Russian coin of similar design to the Bavarian coin. Work was begun, in secret, in October, 1835, at the mint by one of its best engravers, Professor Pavel Utkin. On December 6, the 36 best examples (out of 46 produced) were presented by Count Kankrin to the Emperor for his consideration!