Russia 1894-SP 1/4 kopek
This specimen was lot 43935 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2019), where it sold for $2,280. The catalog description[1] noted, "RUSSIA. 1/4 Kopek, 1894-CNB. PCGS MS-64 BN Gold Shield. A lovely near-Gem with attractive color, a full strike and minimal visible handling over the surfaces." According to the SCWC, the weight was reduced in 1894 from 3 g to 0.8 g but we think the weight reduction occurred earlier. This type was struck 1894-1900 and 1909-10. Proofs exist. The production of the copper coinage was farmed out to branch mints in the early and mid nineteenth century but after 1876 St. Petersburg was the sole producer of this denomination, also known as a polushka.
Recorded mintage: unknown but is the key date.
Specification: bronze, 0.8 g.
Catalog reference: KM-Y47.1; Bit-277.
- 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.
- Brekke, B. F., The Copper Coinage of Imperial Russia, 1700-1917, New York, Galerie des Monnaies, 1977, with 1987 supplement.
- Harris, Robert P., Guidebook of Russian Coins, 1725 to 1970, Santa Cruz, CA: Bonanza Press, 1971.
- [1]Ponterio, Richard, Kyle Ponterio, Matt Orsini and Cris Chatigny, The January 2019 NYINC Sale: Ancient Coins, World Coins & Paper Money, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2018.
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