Russo-Polish Monetary Issues of the Time of Peter I. Ryabtsevich, V.N. Togliatti 1995. 310 pages, illustrated in text. 15x22 cm, hardbound. Print run 3000. (In Russian)
Neither the Sevsk chekhs of 1686 nor the tymfs and shestaks of 1707-1709 had been properly understood before Professor Valentine Ryabtsevich undertook his thorough study of these two highly atypical Russian monetary issues. Indeed, it was not until the late 19th century that the chekh was even accurately attributed; nor was it until Ryabtsevich's study made it clear that what had been regularly called a half-tymf is indeed a one-third tymf or shestak.
In 1886 M.G. Demmeni published his three-volume collection of contemporary Russian source documents throwing light on numismatic history. It contained very little from the Petrine period. But by 1914 Demmeni has assembled a large file of relevant source material which it was intended would introduce the Grand Duke Georgii Mikhailovich's catalogue of the coinage of Peter I. WWI kept these documents from being published, and they were not seriously made use of until I.G. Spassky encouraged Valentine Ryabtsevich to study them.
Among the documents Demmeni had brought together much material bearing on both of the anomalous coinage we speak of. Digesting and setting into context these as well as a great mass of further material he gradually uncovered, Ryabtsevich developed a clear and well-integrated picture of every aspect of each of the two issues. Now, in the present volume he sets forth the historical and economic background which led Russia to prepare special coins foreign to its own monetary system but responsive to monetary habits in the areas Russian forces were operating; he establishes and clarifies the intricate history of their issuance, studies their metrology (and its particular bearing on their lack of success), and provides a fully developed catalogue of the known specimens, with illustrations. In support he displays the customary paraphernalia of serious numismatic research. Of special "numismatic-antiquarian" interest is his introductory discussion, telling of the early groping of 19th century numismatists seeking to understand the significance of these long intractable objects of study.
Our generation has seen the rise of a level of numismatic scholarship in Russia which at least equals and in many ways surpasses what the great pre-WWI students had achieved. Valentine Ryabtsevich's magisterial handling of his two topics (for the two issues he handles are essentially unrelated) comports with the best of this modern school's work, and brings into clear perspective and accurate understanding an important and hitherto neglected sector.
The Avtobazbank has underwritten the publication; the book is sturdy, with good paper, good typography and generally clear graphics. It should not be too difficult to obtain, the price will be about $10-$15.