Russia 1915-BC 5 kopeks
This specimen was lot 73131 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, June 2021), where it sold for $2,400. The catalog description[1] noted, "RUSSIA. 5 Kopeks, 1915-BC. Petrograd (St. Petersburg) Mint. Nicholas II. PCGS PROOF-64 Cameo. Shimmering and highly mirrored, this near-Gem offers great beauty along with a subtle cameo nature on each side." Mintmaster EB issued regular circulation strikes 1906-12 and proofs only in 1913 whereas mintmaster BC is noted for 1912-17. This subtype, struck without mintmark, is noted for 1915 only. In 1914, Russia plunged into World War One, which conflict would lead to the destruction of the regime.
Recorded mintage: 3,000,000.
Specification: 0.9 g, 0.500 fine silver, .014 troy oz ASW.
Catalog reference: KM-Y19a.2; Bit-192.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th 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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