Russia 1896-AG 50 kopeks
This specimen was lot 73127 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, June 2021), where it sold for $120. The catalog description[1] noted, "RUSSIA. 50 Kopeks, 1896-(AT). St. Petersburg Mint. Nicholas II. NGC AU-53. A supremely elegant minor, this specimen presents an alluring cabinet tone with just a small degree of gentle handling and some luster radiating from beneath." This type was struck at St. Petersburg 1895-1914. A few dates also come without the mintmaster's initials (KM Y58.1, 1896-99), these were struck at Paris. Many dates are rare but this one is only scarce. The assayer's initials are on the edge.
Recorded mintage: 17,402,000.
Specification: 10 g, 0.900 fine silver.
Catalog reference: KM-Y58.2; Bit-72.
- 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.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The June 2021 Collector's Choice sale: World and Ancient Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2021.
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