Russia 1787-TM 5 kopeks
This specimen was lot 32125 in Heritage sale 3076 (Long Beach, CA, September 2019), where it sold for $1,020. The catalog description[1] noted, "Russia. Catherine II 5 Kopecks 1787-TM XF Details (Tooled) PCGS, Tauric mint, Reticulated edge. A bit weakly struck with the noted tooling remaining clear, though even with these imperfections this remains a quite rare type, with 5 Kopecks from this mint seldom offered in any condition." This type was struck 1787-88 in the Tauric mint for circulation during the reign of Catherine the Great. Hundreds of millions were issued between the Annensk, Moscow, Sestroretsk, Kolyvan, Ekaterinburg and St. Petersburg mints. Many survive today but few in choice condition; the Tauric mint in the Crimea is rare. Russia has the distinction of being the first country to issue decimal currency, as 100 kopeks = one ruble.
Recorded mintage: 460,000.
Specification: 51.2 g, copper.
Catalog reference: KM-C59.4, Bit-855 (R3), Petrov 40 Roubles.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 201612.
- Bitkin, Vladimir, Composite Catalogue of Russian Coins, Part II (1740-1917), Kiev: Moneta, 2003.
- Brekke, B. F., The Copper Coinage of Imperial Russia, 1700-1917, New York, Galerie des Monnaies, 1977, with 1987 supplement.
- Harris, Robert P., Guidebook of Russian Coins, 1725 to 1970, Santa Cruz, CA: Bonanza Press, 1971.
- [1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano and Warren Tucker, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3076, featuring the Allen Moretti Swiss Collection and the James Mossman Collection of Canadian Coinage, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2019.
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