Finland 1898-L 25 pennia
This specimen was lot 34271 in Heritage sale 3135 (Pittsburgh, September 2026), where it sold for $8,540. The catalog description[1] noted, "Finland: Rare Reverse Variety 25 Pennia. Russian Duchy. Nicholas II Prooflike 25 Pennia 1898-L PL64 PCGS, Helsinki mint. With Eagle of 1906-1917 type. A spectacular representative of this exceptionally scarce variety, with only about 15 examples believed known and the present piece currently the sole certified specimen available to collectors. Fully Prooflike surfaces impart striking brilliance, interrupted only by minor contact marks and retaining superb overall eye appeal." This type is listed for 1872-76, 1889-99, 1907-17 and was struck for Finland by the czarist administration. This date is known for an "L over inverted L" variety which this one must be, to obtain the price realized shown here, altho the photo doesn't show it. Russian defeats in World War One enabled the Finns, who had long chafed under Russian rule, to declare independence.
Recorded mintage: 444,000.
Specification: 1.27 g, 0.750 fine silver, 16 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM 6.2.
- 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]Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, 2026 September 1 - 5 ANA World & Ancient Coins Platinum Session and Signature® Auction #3135, featuring The Vila Rica Collection of Brazilian Gold Coins, Part II, and The Grundy Collection of Latin American and Spanish Coins, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2026.
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