Russia 1891-AG 25 kopeks
This specimen was lot 30652 in Heritage sale 3037 (New York, January 2015), where it sold for $2,937.50. The catalog description[1] noted, "Alexander III 25 Kopecks 1891 AГ MS64 NGC, St. Petersburg mint. Obv. Bust of Alexander III right. Rev. Crowned double-headed Imperial eagle with date and value. Toned in shades of argent-gray and gold, with full underlying luster. The surfaces show some reflectivity, and only a few very minor marks are noted. No Mint State examples have been certified finer by either NGC, or PCGS." 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. The assayer's initials are stamped into the edge.
Recorded mintage: 24,000.
Specification: 5 g, 0.900 fine silver, .1446 troy oz ASW, edge lettered ЧИСТАГО СЕРЕБРА 1 ЗОЛОТНИКА 5,25 ДОЛЕЙ А∙Г.
Catalog reference: Bitkin-94 (R), Severin-4003, 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.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- 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.
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