2016-01-22 Fri

Russian-American, (Alaska) Sealskin Money, 10 Kopeks, is a very rare set of notes that notaphilists from all over the world have their eyes on.

Fur trading was one of the principal businesses of the Russian-American Company. What makes these notes so unique is the fact that they were actually printed on walrus skins and hence are often referred to as "walrus or sealskin money". Researchers have also revealed an astonishing fact that Otter skins were shipped in waterproof walrus skin bags and the bags were then recycled to produce the notes. In Russia the notes were known as Kozhanye (skins).

The Company issued and circulated these unique notes, which, by decree of the Czar, was given a monopoly on trading within Russian America, better known as Alaska today. Only five issues are known, dating from 1816 to 1852, all designed to facilitate fur trade. From these 5 issues only 125 exist today, a fair proportion of them in museums or other institutions. This particular note, printed on yellow parchment stock with black ink printing is comparatively in a better.

No wonder why this rare seal skin Russian-American Company 10 Kopeck "Note in America," graded Choice New 63 PPQ by PCGS, was sold at $44,062.