Russia 1796-EM 5 kopeks
This specimen was lot 72158 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, October 2021), where it sold for $480. The catalog description[1] noted, "RUSSIA. 5 Kopeks, 1796-EM. Ekaterinburg Mint. Catherine II (the Great). NGC AU-50 Brown. A moderately detailed coin, struck over an older issue by Paul I. The fields are free of overly distracting marks, and the surfaces are affected by a brown to very dark brown patina." This type was struck 1763-96 in the Ekaterinburg mint for circulation in Russia during the reign of Catherine the Great. Over a billion were issued between the Annensk, Moscow, Sestroretsk, Kolyvan, Ekaterinburg and St. Petersburg mints. Many survive today but few in choice condition. Russia has the distinction of being the first country to issue decimal currency, as 100 kopeks = one ruble.
Recorded mintage: 1,949,000, the only date awarded a premium.
Specification: 51.2 g, copper.
Catalog reference: KM-C59.3; Bit-109.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Bitkin, Vladimir, Composite Catalogue of Russian Coins, Part II (1740-1917), Kiev: Moneta, 2003.
- Harris, Robert P., Guidebook of Russian Coins, 1725 to 1970, Santa Cruz, CA: Bonanza Press, 1971.
- Brekke, B. F., The Copper Coinage of Imperial Russia, 1700-1917, New York, Galerie des Monnaies, 1977, with 1987 supplement.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The October 2021 Collector's Choice sale: World and Ancient Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2021.
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