Russia 1916 5 kopeks
This specimen was lot 30516 in Heritage sale 3040 (Chicago, April 2015), where it sold for $3,055. The catalog description[1] noted, "Nicholas II copper 5 Kopecks 1916 MS66 Red NGC, St. Petersburg mint. Obv. Crowned doubled-headed Imperial eagle in circle. Rev. Value in circle with date above. A stunning example of this elusive issue. Incredible reddish-orange patina, with a superb strike and no flaws worthy of mention. We can't imagine finding a nicer piece." The prior copper 5 kopeks (KM Y12.2) ceased production in 1881 and only billon five kopeks (KM Y19a.1) were issued through 1915. Wartime shortages and hoarding likely prompted this issue, which is scarce.
Recorded mintage: 8,000,000.
Specification: copper.
Catalog reference: Bitkin-212 (R), Brekke-96 (Very Rare), KM-Y12.3.
- [1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Warren Tucker and David Michaels, Heritage Signature Auction 3040, featuring the Santa Maria, the Alan Dean and the Valley View Life Collections, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2015.
- 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.
- Brekke, B. F., The Copper Coinage of Imperial Russia, 1700-1917, New York, Galerie des Monnaies, 1977, with 1987 supplement.
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