Russia 1923 20 kopeks
The first specimen was lot 1025 in Sincona sale 19 (Zürich, October 2014), where it sold for CHF 5,000 (about US$6,266 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted, "20 Kopecks 1923. Cabinet piece. Choice brilliant proof. Collector's note: "Proof” Ex famous auction Adolph Hess AG / Bank Leu & Co. AG 27, Lucerne, 14-16. 10. 1964, lot 1588 (a small tag of paper from that auction with the lot number is enclosed hereto). The coins in that sale originated from the Virgil Brand collection." The second specimen was lot 31632 in Heritage sale 3064 (Chicago, April 2018), where it sold for $2,640. The catalog description[2] noted, "R.S.F.S.R. silver Proof 20 Kopecks 1923 PR66 NGC. A amazing matured Proof - its mirrored fields have developed a gradated tone, a light gold in the centers, darkening as it reaches the peripheries; however, none of their reflectivity has been lost. Of a crisp strike and tremendous eye-appeal, this would be a difficult type to improve on. A superb and seldom-seen offering for the selective collector." In 1921, having defeated all its internal enemies, the Bolshevik regime prepared to resume a silver coinage of ten kopeks up to a ruble. This is the commonest of three dates (1921-23). The last silver twenty kopeks were issued in 1931.
Recorded mintage: 27,580,000 plus proofs.
Specification: 3.6 g, 0.500 fine silver, the first specimen 3.69 g.
Catalog reference: KM Y82.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Harris, Robert P., Guidebook of Russian Coins, 1725 to 1970, Santa Cruz, CA: Bonanza Press, 1971.
- [1]Shiryakov, I. V., and Jürg Richter, The Sincona Collection, Part 3 and Russian Coins & Medals from Other Properties, Zürich: Sincona AG, 2014.
- [2]Cristiano Bierrenbach and Warren Tucker, Heritage World Coin Auction 3064, featuring the Doug Robins Collection of Canadian Tokens, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2018.
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