Finland 1889 10 pennia
This specimen was lot 74321 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, September 2023), where it sold for $552. The catalog description[1] noted, "FINLAND. 10 Pennia, 1889. Helsinki Mint. Alexander III. PCGS MS-63 Brown. PCGS population: 1, none finer (for all color designations). Nearly 20% of the original mint orange color remains, and it is most vivid in the protected areas around the design elements. Otherwise toned in warm gray brown, both sides are lustrous with a satin to softly frosted texture. A single Light carbon spot is noted for accuracy near 10 o'clock on the obverse, but otherwise there is nary an imperfection to spot that would prevent near-Gem or Gem. Emanating from an exceedingly popular and difficult issue, there is sure to strong demand from specialists for this 'top pop.'" This type is listed for 1889-91 and is fairly scarce. Russian defeats in World War One enabled the Finns, who had long chafed under Russian rule, to declare independence.
Recorded mintage: 100,000.
Specification: 12.8 g, copper, 30 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM-12.
- Bitkin, Vladimir, Composite Catalogue of Russian Coins, Part II (1740-1917), Kiev: Moneta, 2003.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, September 2023 World Collectors Choice Online Auction - Ancient & World Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.
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