Russia 1886-AG 25 kopeks
This specimen was lot 30650 in Heritage sale 3037 (New York, January 2015), where it sold for $3,760. The catalog description[1] noted, "Alexander III 25 Kopecks 1886 AГ MS64 NGC, St. Petersburg mint. Obv. Bust right. Rev. Crowned double-headed Imperial eagle with date and value. A stunning piece. This example has the initial look of a Proof, with deeply mirrored fields and frosted devices. The strike is also superb, and the lightly marked surfaces absolutely sparkle beneath the light yellow-green patina. Rare in this condition. Mintage of only 4,058 pieces." This type is listed for 1886-94. All dates are scarce to rare, especially compared to the large numbers of twenty kopeks issued in the same period. Alexander III ruled 1881-94.
Recorded mintage: 4,058.
Specification: 5 g, 0.900 fine silver, .1446 troy oz ASW.
Catalog reference: Bitkin-89 (R1), Severin-3960, KM-Y44.
- [1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Warren Tucker and David Michaels, Heritage Signature Auction 3037, featuring the Empire, the Santa Catarina, the Law and the Santa Maria Collections, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2014.
- 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.
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