Russia / Germany (Eastern Prussia, Königsberg mint) 1⁄3 Taler 1761 - Elizabeth I (1741-1762)

7.42g. VF/VF. Attractive exemplar with green-grey patina. 

Bitkin 670 R1; 6 roubles according to Petrov. 

Very rare. 

Russian Coinage for East Prussia and Livonia under Empress Elizabeth (1758-1762). 

During the Seven Years’ War, in 1758, East Prussia was occupied and formally annexed by the Russian Empire. The local monetary situation was in disarray: Prussian coinage was of poor quality, and King Frederick II engaged in economic sabotage by flooding the region with counterfeit coins. To stabilize commerce and assert control, Empress Elizabeth authorized the issuance of Russian coinage specifically for circulation in the newly acquired territory. 

This resulted in a unique series of silver coins bearing the portrait and titles of Empress Elizabeth on the obverse and Prussian royal symbols on the reverse, such as the single-headed eagle and the legend “Moneta Regni Prussiae.” These included denominations of 18, 6, 3, 2, and 1 groschen, as well as the solidus. Later issues also introduced larger coins of ½ and ⅓ thaler (guldens). 

The coins were originally struck at the Königsberg Mint, with designs based on drawings by Andrey Bolotov. Coin production was overseen by Mintmaster B. F. Zittman. The higher denominations featured a Latin inscription and finely executed busts of Elizabeth, while the lower denominations incorporated Russian imagery such as the double-headed eagle and imperial cipher. 

Following the death of Empress Elizabeth in late 1761, East Prussia was returned to Prussian control, and all coin production ceased. Due to their relatively limited mintage original Russian-Prussian coins became objects of keen interest, with surviving examples highly sought after by collectors. 

Issue of interest to collectors of coins of Russia, Poland and Germany.