Russia 1888-SP AG 5 kopeks
This specimen was lot 24529 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (Newport Beach, CA, January 2021), where it sold for $240. The catalog description[1] noted, "RUSSIA. 5 Kopeks, 1888-CNB AT. St. Petersburg Mint. Alexander III. NGC MS-67. A gorgeous Gem with frosty surfaces and a bare hint of toning." This type was struck 1867-1914 in large numbers and this is a common date. In 1867, the weight was reduced from 1.04 g, 0.750 fine silver to 0.90 g, 0.500 fine silver and struck in that form until the collapse of the regime. 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 1880's. Today, the silver piece is readily available (probably due to hoarding) but the copper type (KM Y12.2) is hard to find in nice condition.
Recorded mintage: 4,000,000 (a common date).
Specification: 0.90 g, 0.500 fine silver.
Catalog reference: KM-Y19a.1; Bit-148.
- 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]Orsini, Matt, Richard Ponterio and Kyle Ponterio, The January 2021 NYINC Sale: Ancient Coins, World Coins & Paper Money, featuring the Oro del Nuevo Mundo and Matt Orsini Collections, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2020.
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