Russian Pre WWI Czar Nicholas II Coronation Cup, 1896 Cup of Sorrows
This item is listed for historical interest only. It was listed on our site previously but has been sold and is no longer available for purchase.
Sold for: $185.00

Original era manufacture. Enameled steel bodied cup displaying the cypher of Nicolas II and the double-headed Imperial Eagle. These cups were presented as Imperial gifts to the common people attending the Czars coronation ceremony on the morning of May 18 1896. A rumor started within the crowd that the cups and other gifts were in short supply and the supply was not adequate for the hundreds of thousands of people gathered for the occaision. The crowd pressed forward and in the ensuing crush over 1000 people were trampled to death. This incident was thought to have been a bad omen for the newly crowned Czar and as subsequent events unfolded they were proved correct. The cup stands about 4 inches in height and is about 3.5 inches wide at its top. The finish is worn but remains quite colorful with scattered chipping and flaking as shown. There is a 3mm pinhole in the base surface. Wonderful old cup with a sad history.