Russia 1870-EM 2 kopeks

Stack's Bowers October 2021 Collector's Choice sale, lot 72177

This specimen was lot 72177 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, October 2021), where it sold for $480. The catalog description^[1] noted, "RUSSIA. 2 Kopeks, 1870-EM. Ekaterinburg Mint. Alexander II. NGC MS-64 Brown. This handsome near-Gem survivor exhibits a bold strike displaying mottled brown patina with hints of original mint red that is pleasing to the eye." The Ekaterinburg mint was opened in the eighteenth century to strike copper coinage and did so in large quantities until 1876. This two kopeks, along with a quarter, half, one, three and five kopeks, are the final products of that mint.

Recorded mintage: 21,884,000.

Specification: 6.30 g, copper, 24 mm diameter.

Catalog reference: KM-Y10.1.

Source:

• ^[1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The October 2021 Collector's Choice sale: World and Ancient Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2021.
• 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.
• 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.

Link to:

• 1863-BM 2 kopeks, Warsaw mint
• 1869-EM ¼ kopek, Ekaterinburg mint
• 1869-EM ½ kopek, Ekaterinburg mint
• 1869-СПБ 2 kopeks, St. Petersburg mint
• 1870-EM 5 kopeks
• 1870-СПБ HI 15 kopeks
• 1870-СПБ HI 20 kopeks
• 1870-СПБ HI poltina
• 1870-СПБ HI ruble
• 1870-СПБ HI 3 rubles
• 1870-СПБ HI 5 rubles
• 1871-EM ½ kopek
• 1872-EM 2 kopeks
• Coins and currency dated 1870