Russia 1805-KM 1/4 kopek
This specimen was lot 143 in Sincona sale 65 (Zürich, October 2020), where it sold for 180 CHF (about US$237 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted, "Polushka 1805, Suzun Mint, KM. 2.5 roubles according to Petrov. 3 roubles according to Ilyin. Very fine. (Полушка 1805, Сузунский МД, КМ. 2,39 г. Биткин 469 (R1). 2,5 рубля по Петрову. 3 рубля по Ильину. Состояние очень хорошее.)" The second specimen was lot 129 in Sincona Auction 99 (Zürich, October 2025), where it sold for 600 CHF (about US$904 including buyers' fees). The catalog description[2] noted,
"RUSSLAND Kaiserreich und Föderation, Alexander I. 1801-1825, Polushka 1805, Suzun Mint, KM. Sehr selten. Vorzüglich. (empire of Russia, Alexander I, 1801-25, Very rare. 2.5 roubles according to Petrov. 3 roubles according to Ilyin. Extremely Fine.)"
This type was struck 1803-10 at Ekaterinburg and 1803-07 at Suzun. The quarter kopek or polushka was the lowest denomination Russian coin.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 2.56 g, copper, 19 mm diameter, diagonally reeded edge; the first specimen 2.39 g, the second specimen 2.74 g.
Catalog reference: Bitkin 469 (R1), KM C111.2.
- 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.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Jürg Richter, Auction 65, Russian Coins and Medals, Zürich: Sincona AG, 2020.
- [2]Richter, Jurg, SINCONA Auction 99: Russian Coins and Medals, Zurich: SINCONA AG, 2025.
Link to: