Sunday Special - Russia

A week ago, I had promised one of my viewers a post on Russian coins.  So as promised, but a few days late, here it is! These were the only Russian coins that I pulled from the dealer bin 2 months ago, but the only reason that I pulled them out was because of their weird denominations.  The three coins are denominated in 3 Kopeks and 15 Kopeks.  That's a pretty odd denomination.  In the numismatic world, it's pretty rare to find something denominated in 3's and 15's unless you're talking about pre-decimal coins from the U.K. and it's former and current colonies.  Granted it's more unusual that you find these denominations in decimal denominated currencies. 

The obverse is typical of coins from the Soviet era, the coat of arms flanked by sprigs with the reverse having the value flanked by sprigs.  Really its a matter of function over form here, a simpler design is easier to mass produce as opposed to a more intricate design.  You find designs like these in other current and former communist countries; it's cheaper and serves its purpose. So here are the stats:

Russia (Former USSR) - 15 Kopeks
Date: 1978
Mint: N/A
Y#131
Weight: 2.5g
Content: Copper-Nickel-Zinc
Catalog Value: $0.20-0.40 (F-VF)

Russia (Former USSR) - 3 Kopeks
Date:1985 & 1982
Mint: N/A
Y#:128a
Weight: 3.0g
Content: Aluminum-Bronze
Catalog Value: $0.15-0.25 (F-VF)

Wednesday World Coins & Currency - Russian Empire 5 Kopeks

Images Courtesy of Heritage Auctions via Numista

I wanted to do a little change-up this time and expend some time on a coin that I wish I had in my collection.  To many, this is just a large copper coin minted during a time when the Russian Empire was probably at it's height of global influence and power.  In actuality, this is an extremely large copper coin.  It weighs in at over 53 grams or pure copper with a diameter of  41mm.  It's about as thick as 3-4 quarters stacked together and at the time it was minted, it was a high denomination coin.  Nowadays, 5 Kopeks is negligible, in fact the current Russian monetary system has no coin currently produced for this nominal denomination.

The reason why I chose this coin for my first "Wish List" post is due to a few things.  First, the coin is huge and a very heavy coin.  Second, it's old and was minted during the reign of Catherine the Great.  Thirdly, it's a relatively inexpensive coin from the 18th century; about $50-150 depending on grade.  The fourth reason is quite sad, I saw this coin on the shopping network during the coin show, and they were selling this for around $150.  A bit overpriced, but they said that they had found a hoard of uncirculated 5 Kopeks in Russia just recently.  Whether you believe the story or not, the coin is pretty cool, and had I not watched the Coin Show on the shopping network, I probably would've never even seen this coin.  I will buy one someday, but until then, I will just have to marvel at it's opulence via my own blog! =(

Happy Thursday, when it should've been posted yesterday! =P