Russia 1796 10 kopeks
This specimen was lot 356 in Sincona sale 78 (Zürich, October 2022), where it sold for 10,500 CHF (about US$12,584 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted, "RUSSIA | Russian Empire and Federation | Catherine II. 1762-1796, 10 Kopecks 1796, undetermined mint. Wide date numerals. 15 roubles according to Petrov. 12 roubles according to Ilyin. About very fine. Scratch on reverse." This specimen was issued in preparation of a large issue of copper coinage with the weight cut 50% from the previous types, the seignorage of which would pay for the Turkish war. Catherine died as production was gearing up and her son, Paul III, cancelled the whole project. Few survived the melting and the type is so rare today as to be classed a pattern. Some are seen as undertypes for five kopeks of 1796.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 51.19 g, copper, this specimen 56.89 g.
Catalog reference: KM Pn45, Bitkin 886 (R3).
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- 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]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 78, Russian Coins and Medals, The Grigoriy Stakhorsky Collection, Part 1 and other Properties, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2022.
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