TYPE Early Russia, Republic of Novgorod, silver denga, ca. 1420-1456, 0.80g DESCRIPTION . Obv: Two facing figures: on left, crowned and cloaked standing figure with scepter; on right, squatting naked figure with stretched hands holding oval object Rev: 4-line Russian legend: VLIKAGO NOVAGORODA ("of the Great Novgorod") REFERENCE: S 59-2, O 8 GRADING: VF, patchy toning, flat spot ORDER INFO: M1011, $98 A nicer example of the "trademarked" obverse representation on independent Novgorod coinage, which disappeared after the city's annexation by Moscow later in the 15th century. Its exact meaning eludes numismatists today; over time, the princely rule in the city was replaced by a republican form characteristic of merchant-towns; perhaps, the authority figure on the left symbolizes Great Novgorod itself, and the serving figure - its inhabitants.