Russia 1891-AG 50 kopeks
This specimen was lot 42581 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Oklahoma City, OK, August 2025), where it sold for $4,800. The catalog description[1] noted, "RUSSIA. 50 Kopeks, 1891-(AT). St. Petersburg Mint. Alexander III. NGC MS-62. A RARE date and the first we can recall offering in any condition, let alone Mint State. Strongly struck from freshly polished dies and appearing to closely border on a Prooflike designation, the eagle and portrait glimmering with icy frost atop fields imbued with watery luster." This type is listed for 1886-94, superseding the old poltina or half ruble. All dates are scarce. Mintmaster Apollon Grashof's initials are stamped into the edge.
Recorded mintage: 24,008.
Specification: 10 g, 0.900 fine silver, 26.75 mm diameter, edge lettered АГ ЧИСТАГО СЕРЕБРА 2 ЗОЛОТНИКА 10.5 ДOЛЕЙ.
Catalog reference: KM-Y45; Bit-84; Sev-4004.
- 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, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, August 2025 Global Showcase Auction, World & Ancient Coins, featuring The Richard August Collection and the Richard Margolis Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2025.
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