Russia 1902-SP kopek
This specimen was lot 75640 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, September 2023), where it sold for $810. The catalog description[1] noted, "RUSSIA. Kopek, 1902-CNB. St. Petersburg Mint. Nicholas II. NGC MS-65 Brown. Delightful dark chocolate patina is punctuated by a brilliant flash when the coin is held at certain angles to the light. Consistent surfaces are incredibly appealing, clearly the result of many years of miraculous preservation in some former collector's set." Despite the large mintage, this issue is tied with 1871 as the key date. Most must have been melted. In 1914, Russia plunged into World War One, which conflict would lead to the destruction of the regime.
Recorded mintage: 20,000,000.
Specification: 3.3 g, copper, 21.6 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM-Y9.2.
- 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.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, September 2023 World Collectors Choice Online Auction - Ancient & World Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.
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