Russia 1850-SP PA 5 kopeks

Heritage sale 3035, lot 31569

This specimen was lot 31569 in Heritage sale 3035 (Long Beach, September 2014), where it sold for $528.75. The catalog description^[1] noted, "Russia: Nicholas I silver 5 Kopecks 1850 CПБ-ПA MS66 NGC, St. Petersburg mint. Obv. Crowned double-headed Imperial eagle. Rev. Crowned date and value in wreath. A superb, original example, with full strike, prooflike surfaces, and appealing green and gold toning. None have been certified finer by NGC, or PCGS." Assayer's initials ПА stand for Paul Alexiev. This type was struck 1832-58. The Russian government does not seem to have been able to make up its mind whether the five kopeks denomination should be a small silver coin, as here, or a large copper coin. Both were struck during the 1840's. Today, the silver piece is readily available (probably due to hoarding) but the copper type (KM C152) is hard to find in nice condition.

Recorded mintage: 1,300,000.

Specification: 1.03 g, 0.868 fine silver.

Catalog reference: KM-C163.

Source:

• 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]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, and Warren Tucker, Heritage Signature Auction 3035, World and Ancient Coins, featuring the FoxLair Collection and the Law Collection, Dallas: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2014.

Link to:

• 1849-СПБ ПА 5 kopeks
• 1850-BM ¼ kopek
• Russia 1850-EM 2 kopeks
• 1850-СПБ ПА ruble
• 1850-СПБ AГ 5 rubles
• 1851-СПБ ПA 5 kopeks
• Coins and currency dated 1850