Russia 1793-EM 5 kopeks
This specimen was lot 72157 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, October 2021), where it sold for $336. The catalog description[1] noted, "RUSSIA. 5 Kopeks, 1793-EM. Ekaterinburg Mint. Catherine II (the Great). NGC MS-63 Brown. A boldly struck and attractive coin, with sharp design detail on the centers, smooth subtle luster, and deep brown patina." This type was struck 1763-96 in the Ekaterinburg mint for circulation in Russia during the reign of Catherine the Great. Over a billion were issued between the Annensk, Moscow, Sestroretsk, Kolyvan, Ekaterinburg and St. Petersburg mints. The mintage noted below consumed 1,164 metric tons of copper. Many survive today but few in choice condition. Russia has the distinction of being the first country to issue decimal currency, as 100 kopeks = one ruble.
Recorded mintage: 22,736,000.
Specification: 51.2 g, copper.
Catalog reference: KM-C59.3; Bit-647.
- 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.
- [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.
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