Russia 1845-SP KB 5 kopeks
The Russian government does not seem to have been able to make up its mind whether the five kopeks denomination should be a small silver coin, as here, or a large copper coin. Both were struck during the 1850's. Today, the silver piece is readily available (probably due to hoarding) but the copper type (KM C152) is hard to find in nice condition. This specimen was lot 36347 in Heritage sale 3038 (Dallas, January 2015), where it sold for $1,292.50. The catalog description[1] noted, "Nicholas I silver 5 Kopecks 1845 CПБ-КБ MS66 NGC, St. Petersburg mint. Obv. Crowned double-headed Imperial eagle. Rev. Crowned date and value in wreath. Fully struck, with light golden toning over frosty, lustrous surfaces. None have been certified finer by NGC or PCGS."
Recorded mintage: 1,740,000.
Specification: 1.03 g, 0.868 fine silver, .028 troy oz ASW.
Catalog reference: Bitkin-399, KM C-163.
- 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.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Warren Tucker and David Michaels, Heritage Signature Auction 3038, featuring the Empire, the Santa Catarina, the Law and the Santa Maria Collections, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2014.
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