What caused the interest in the coins of Nicholas II. Military history, weapons, old and military maps. Gold circulation coins of Nicholas II
Gold coins of Nicholas 2 are very valuable specimens, not only for the composition and presence of gold, but also for their history. Every year their number decreases, and their cost increases. And money is also valued because it was issued only in connection with some significant events in the country.
7.5 rubles 1897
Currency reform in Russia
At the beginning of the reign of Nicholas II, Sergei Witte was appointed to the post of Minister of Finance, who carried out the monetary reform. The main goal of the reform was to strengthen the national currency, which was backed by gold. Thus, the number of paper bills decreased, and the amount of precious metal money increased.
Therefore, there was a need to increase gold production and mint new Nikolaev coins. Due to the great need and volume of coinage, the mints of Brussels and Paris began to issue part of the money.
Varieties of imperial coins
During the reign of the emperor, coins were issued in denominations of 25, 15, 10, 7.5 and 5. They also minted a batch called “100 francs,” which was approximately equal to 37.5 rubles. Each coin has the signature of a mintmaster - this is the person at court who was responsible for the minting process and compliance with its conditions; it was he who checked the samples of the issued editions.
The gold coin with a face value of 100 francs is also valuable because its circulation was only 200 pieces, and they were not in circulation. Some of the money was dated 1902, and some were minted in 1903, but the coins were dated from the previous year. On the coin itself, in addition to the profile of the emperor, a double-headed eagle was depicted, as well as two denominations - “100 francs” and “37.5 rubles”.
Such coins were used as gifts for privileged people. Some of the coins were presented to Alexandra Feodorovna, Prince Georgy Mikhailovich. One copy was donated to the Hermitage Museum. For such purposes, 236 coins were minted. If the authenticity of such a coin is confirmed, its value can reach 150 thousand dollars.
There is also a version that the coins were issued for use in casinos. And the presence of such a coin confirms friendly relations between France and the Russian Empire, as well as the implementation of common interests in the Far East.
But in addition to 100 francs, even rarer coins with a face value of 25 rubles were issued under Nicholas II. They date back to 1896 and 1908. The reason for the release of the first batch was to honor the memory of the emperor’s coronation. For the second issue, the event of the emperor’s fortieth birthday was chosen. Less than 200 coins were produced, so their value reaches 75 thousand dollars. The obverse of the coin is standard, with the image of the ruler’s profile, and the denomination “2.5 imperial 25 rubles” is minted on the reverse.
But there are also less expensive coins from the time of Nicholas II. The cost of a copy depends not only on the circulation, but also on the safety of the coin. The cost practically does not depend on the amount of gold or fineness of the precious metal in the product.
10 rubles 1906
The fineness used for the coins was approximately 900 and above. But the more pure gold there was in the coins, the faster the money was erased and spoiled. And even during the reign of Nicholas II, the gold content in coins was reduced in order to save money.
For example, gold chervonets weighed 6.45 grams, and the circulation of such coins was more than 2 million. Production was carried out from 1898 to 1904 and from 1909 to 1911. The cost of such coins today ranges from 400 to 700 dollars. But in the period 1895-1897, several full-sized copies of chervonets were issued, which today are highly valued among numismatists.
The coin depicts the profile of Nicholas II and the signature “All-Russian Autocrat.” On back side, in addition to the coat of arms of the Russian Empire, there is a denomination and year of issue. On the edge there is a mark “Pure gold 1 spool 34.68 shares”.
Even more five-ruble coins were issued. Their circulation was more than 5 million pieces, and they were produced annually from 1898 to 1911, since they were the most popular. The appearance was made according to the standard model with all state symbols and denominations. A feature of the coin’s appearance was a patterned edge, but the cost of the copy is still not too high for the money of the time of Nicholas II. The item can fetch up to $50, although variations from 1909 and 1910 are considered rarer and, accordingly, more expensive - the price of the coin reaches 200 thousand.
And also rare copies of coins are “Rus”. This is a separate currency, since the government at the beginning of its activities decided to rename the name of the money to make it sound more patriotic. The ruble was supposed to sound like a Russian, but the idea did not receive approval from the emperor. Among the denominations of the coin are 5, 10 and 15. Since a small amount of money was issued, the reform did not take root. The cost of Rus today at auctions reaches four hundred thousand dollars.
Rules for purchasing coins
But before buying or selling coins from that period, you need to be careful, since those coins are the most likely to be counterfeited. Only professional numismatists and appraisers can tell the value of a piece. There is also confusion with coin mintages. The thing is that a certain quantity could have been in the warehouse before being put into use, so it is difficult to name the exact number of copies.
Most often among counterfeit coins there are copies from the reign of Nicholas II. In addition, these variations are completely identical to the originals and look more beautiful because they were minted recently. There are several explanations for this number of fakes:
- During the revolution, confusion and chaos reigned at the mint, so nothing is known about the fate of the stamps. There were rumors about the location of the stamps that they were captured by Admiral Kolchak in order to mint coins for the needs of the White Army.
- The Soviet government continued to mint coins and sold them abroad. Thus, the gold reserves of the Russian Empire were squandered, and copies were sold in the West.
- Someone made copies of the royal stamps and continues to make money that is completely fake.
But even the new ones are clearly made according to the standards and canons, so they are more profitable to purchase than gold bars with an unknown hallmark of that time.
Purchasing coins from the time of Nicholas II, the last emperor of Russia, is a profitable investment. The number of coins and their price variety allows you to purchase the desired copy to replenish your collection. A purchase is considered safe if the product has a certificate of authenticity, and the process itself does not take place “by hand”, but at an auction. The value of coins increases every year, but such an investment requires care as the pieces require cleaning.
Copper coins during the reign of Nicholas II, they formed the basis of the country's monetary relations, and they were used for most small settlement transactions. They were issued annually in multi-million circulations until 1917 in such denominations as 5 kopecks, 3 kopecks, 2 kopecks, 1 kopeck, 1/2 kopeck and 1/4 kopeck, according to the model established since the mid-19th century. Due to their frequent occurrence, they are not of particular interest to many collectors, although there are real rarities here too. These include 5 kopecks and 3 kopecks in 1917, as well as 1/2 kopeck and 1/4 kopeck in 1894.
Copper coins in the everyday life of Russians at the turn of the 19th-20th centuries
Copper coins were small change and formed the basis of monetary relations among the common people living in a vast territory Russian Empire.
Under Nicholas II, coins of 5 kopecks, 3 and 2 kopecks, 1 kopeck, as well as 1/2 and 1/4 kopecks were minted from copper per foot of 50 rubles per pood (16 kg) - according to the type of denominations that developed back in the 1860s years.
In addition to St. Petersburg mint in 1896-1898, copper fines (with the exception of 5 kopecks) were produced by order of the government by the Birmingham Mint (Great Britain), and in 1899-1901 - by the private “Rosenkrantz factory” in St. Petersburg. Mint mark - “S.P.B.” - was placed on all coins, regardless of the actual place of minting, until 1914, after which the mark was abolished, and samples of coins were already issued without its designation.
Rosencrantz Factory 1910s
What could any owner of such copper coins do during the reign of Nicholas II? According to statistics recent years his reign (data taken from the Statistical Yearbook of Moscow. Issue 4. 1911-1913. - M., 1916.), prices in Moscow then correlated as follows:
- 1 kg of premium cereal cost approximately 17 kopecks, a measure of potatoes - 45 kopecks (1 measure is approximately equal to 1 pood), a pound (16 kg) of rye bread - 1 ruble 25 kopecks (1 loaf cost 3-5 kopecks);
- pound (about 400 g) of first grade beef - 24 kopecks; pound of veal - 37 kopecks; one chicken - 93 kopecks;
- a pound of butter - 50 kopecks, a bottle of milk - 8 kopecks;
- 1 glass of beer - 5 kopecks, 1 bottle of vodka (0.75 liters), "monopoly" - 35 kopecks, 1 glass ("bastard", approximately 60 milligrams) - 6 kopecks.
At the same time, any artisan, mason, carpenter or joiner earned a little less than 2 rubles a day; day laborer (depending on the work performed) - from 40 kopecks to 1 ruble. Women were paid less.
Design of copper coins of Nicholas II
During the time of Nicholas II, the design of the coins remained virtually unchanged compared to issues of previous years. Only on the smallest copper coins - “denge” and “polushka” (1/2 and 1/4 kopecks) the imperial monogram is changed and the monogram “H II” is used, with a royal crown in ribbons and a wreath at the bottom. The reverse of these coins is characterized by maximum simplicity - the denomination number, two five-pointed decorative stars, the year of issue (before 1915 and the inscription S.P.B.), and decorative curls in the middle.
The design of the range of denominations from 5 to 1 kopeck will differ from appearance more small coins, although it is typical. On the obverse there is a double-headed eagle, around it there is an ornamental edging in the Old Russian style with the inscriptions “COPPER RUSSIAN COIN” (above) and the letters denomination number and the word “KOPEEK” (below, for example “TWO KOPEYKS”).
On the reverse, the denomination is already indicated by a number (for example, “3 KOPEEK”) with two five-pointed decorative stars, under the vignette is the mint mark. The composition is framed by laurel and oak branches tied in a bow; the year of minting is indicated at the top. All copper coins have a ribbed edge, although variants with a smooth edge are also known.
Description of denominations and current prices
5 kopecks. For the vast majority of the reign of the last Emperor of Russia, this denomination was printed in silver. However, since 1911, due to another reform (and most likely, the government’s desire to save on precious metals), 5 kopecks began to be printed from copper. Such five-kopeck coins are interesting due to the fact that they were produced in only three years - in 1911, 1912 and 1916.
5 kopecks of 1911 were minted in a circulation of 4 million. pieces, and today, in VF condition, they are valued in the range of 5-10 dollars. 5 kopecks of 1912 are much less common, because The circulation that year was about 3 million coins. They are also more expensive. This example in VF condition is offered for 15-30 US dollars. 5 kopecks from 1916 are the most expensive, although their circulation that year was 8 million. In VF condition, one copy is estimated at 50-80 US dollars. These coins were also issued in 1917, but were not put into circulation. Information about the circulation is also unknown, and such a copy is considered a real rarity.
3 kopecks. From 1895 to 1916, a three-kopeck coin, convenient for monetary transactions, was minted annually in multi-million circulations. How many copies were produced in 1917 is also unknown; in catalogs they are listed as extremely rare (index R4 according to Bitkin). The largest quantity was produced in 1916 - 25.6 million pieces.
The average cost of such a coin is more difficult to determine, because The price range here is very wide. In VF condition, 3 kopecks cost 3-10 dollars, in XF condition – from 5 to 30 US dollars.
2 kopecks. The “kopeck piece” was minted under Nicholas II in the 19th century, minted only in 1895, and then every year from 1902 to 1917 inclusive (and here the situation according to circulation data is similar).
In terms of value, this coin is also, in general, not particularly different. The coins are ordinary; finding them in good condition at a low price will not be difficult for any novice collector. Approximate prices: F - $1-2; VF - $3-10; XF- $10-20.
1 kopeck. It was minted only in 1894-1895, then from 1902 until 1916. The circulation each year numbers millions of copies, so prices do not vary much. Similar with prices for 2 kopecks. Only specimens from 1902 are valued more expensively; for the preservation of VF you can get from 12 to 25 US dollars.
1/2 kopeck And 1/4 kopeck. The rarest half- and quarter-kopeck coins date back to 1894, when Nicholas II had not yet been crowned. Apparently, very few of them were minted, the occurrence index according to Bitkin is R2, and the cost of such a coin reaches 1000 US dollars or even more.
Half-kopeks were printed from 1894-95, and then annually from 1908-1916. inclusive. “Quarters” were minted for only 6 years - in 1894, 1895, 1909, 1910, 1915 and 1916. The main part of such coins does not have a high value: F - $ 1-3 VF - $ 3-5. Samples from 1900 and 1908 are priced a little more expensive. - in VF condition - $5-15. Well, of course, the most expensive are two years - the first and last, 1895 (VF) - $15-25 and 1916 (VF) - more than 100 US dollars.
The series of coins from the reign of Nicholas 2 includes coins from 1984 (Coronation of Emperor Nicholas 2) to 1917 (October Revolution). This is a set of coins of the Russian Empire, which include - copper kopecks, silver coins and gold coins.Russian Emperor Nicholas II ruled the country from 1894 to 1917 and during this short time many coins were minted in Russia. Today, many numismatic items from this period are considered quite rare. A remarkable event of the reign of this emperor is that his portrait was minted not only on coins of large denomination, but also a silver coin of 25 kopecks has his image. On all coins minted during the period 1894-1918, and where there is an image of the emperor, his profile is turned to the left.
As for small denomination coins, they do not have the image of the king, and this happened for two reasons:
- Small denomination coins are too small to display a clear and recognizable image.
- At that time, it was believed that ordinary people should not have coins with the image of the king on them.
During the reign of Nicholas II, it was successfully implemented currency reform . It was carried out on the initiative of S. Witte and thanks to it, coins of two denominations appeared: 15 rubles, as well as 7 rubles 50 kopecks. Under this king, coins of three different types: copper, silver, and gold. But it should be noted that test coins made of aluminum worth 5 rubles were also issued. The trial ones are 25 kopecks (an alloy of copper and nickel) and 5 kopecks of reduced weight (copper became expensive in 1916). They are also of great interest to collectors.
Among gold coins worth noting are coins worth 5, 10 and 25 rubles (gold coins of 7.50 rubles and 15 rubles were added to them after the reform). Under this emperor, it was minted in Russia for a long time and gold coin 100 francs, which corresponded to 37.50 rubles.
As for silver coins, during this time coins were issued ranging from 5 kopecks to 1 ruble. Copper coins were minted: 1/4 kopeck, 1/2 kopeck, as well as 1 kopeck, 2 kopecks, 3 kopecks, 5 kopecks. In addition, a silver coronation ruble was issued in 1896, a commemorative ruble in honor of the opening of the monument to Emperor Alexander II, and a silver commemorative ruble in honor of the monument to Alexander III. In honor of the reign of the House of Romanov (on the 300th anniversary) and on the anniversary of the victory over Napoleon (100 years), they were also issued silver coins. Especially valuable for numismatists are the Gangut ruble, donation coins (issued for the emperor’s fund), gold imperials, and also semi-imperials. These are very rare coins and are rarely found at auctions.
The reign of Nicholas II went down in history as a very turbulent period. The revolutionary movements that originated under Alexander III gained strength until they led to the Revolution of 1905. This time the uprising was suppressed. To avoid new unrest, several reforms were adopted regarding freedom of religion, freedom of speech and the establishment of the State Duma. But all this only contributed to the strengthening of popular movements. In 1914, new interstate alliances led to Russia's entry into the First World War. The opposition took advantage of the weakening of the economy and power, and at the beginning of 1917 the February Revolution took place, during which Nicholas II abdicated the throne. In March, the Provisional Government came to power. A year and a half later, in July 1918, the emperor was shot in Yekaterinburg along with his family.
There were also many changes in the coinage of this time. In 1895-1898, a monetary reform was carried out under the leadership of S.Yu. Witte, during which the gold ruble became the basis of monetary circulation (before that, silver was considered the main one). The weight of gold coins is reduced by one and a half times. In 1897, coins of the old weight were minted for the last time, but with an increased denomination (15 and 7.5 rubles). In 1915-1916, due to the difficult economic situation, it was planned to introduce lightweight copper-nickel coins in denominations from 3 to 25 kopecks; lower denominations were to remain copper, but one and a half times lighter. The issue of introducing steel money was even considered. All developed versions remained trial ones and are now highly valued among collectors.
Monetary reform S.Yu. Witte meant reducing the weight of gold coins by one and a half times. Experiments with the development of new monetary units (imperial and rus) were not successful; the imperial remained a counting concept equal to 15, and not 10 rubles as before. To simplify calculations and prepare the population for the new money, in 1897, coins of non-standard denominations of 15 and 7.5 rubles were issued in multi-million circulations. 15 rubles has two varieties, differing in the displacement of the inscription relative to the portrait.
Possibly the most famous gold coin of the Russian Empire with a portrait of Nicholas II and a coat of arms on back side with a face value of 10 rubles became one of the symbols of autocracy. A huge number of them were issued, so these coins became the main item for treasures from the Civil War. It was minted annually from 1898 to 1904, then in 1906, 1909, 1910 and 1911. According to unofficial information, they could have been produced in the 1920s for international payments.
Gold 5 rubles with a portrait of Nicholas II and a double-headed eagle were minted from 1898 to 1911, except for 1905 and 1908. The 1907 coins are of great value due to a very limited mintage (a little over 100 pieces). There is a pattern on the edge, with the exception of some issues with a smooth edge. The neck trim contains the engraver's initials.
Rubles, like other large silver coins, under Nicholas II had the same design, weight and fineness as under Alexander III, but with a portrait of the new emperor. Minted annually from 1895 to 1915. Before 1902 and in 1913 they had several variants, differing in the designations on the edge. Among the issues of 1896-1899 there are examples of foreign coinage with one and two stars, or with ticks.
50-kopeck coins of the Nikolaev era had the same design as rubles: a portrait of Nicholas II in profile on one side, the coat of arms and denomination on the other. They were minted every year except 1905. Onets of 1896-1899 were issued not only in St. Petersburg, but also abroad; these have markings in the form of stars or birds on the edge instead of the initials of the mintzmeister.
Since 1901, the production of 20-kopeck coins of the 1867 model from bilon (500 standard) silver has been resumed. Their minting continued until the beginning of 1917. In addition to the designation of the mint, the coins bear the initials of the mintmaster - FZ, AR, EB and VS. Since 1915, the designation of the mint (the letters SPB) has been absent.
Coins in denomination of 15 kopecks were issued from 1896 to the beginning of 1917, except for 1910, according to the 1867 model. Some copies with the date "1916" were minted at the Osaka Mint (Japan); they do not have the initials of the mintmaster under the eagle. Since 1915, the designation of the mint (the letters SPB) has been absent.
Issued annually in 1895-1917 according to the 1867 model from 500 silver, coin weight - 1.8 grams. Under the eagle are the initials of the mintzmeister: the letters AG, EB, FZ, AR and BC. Since 1915, the designation of the mint (the letters SPB) has been absent. Some of the copies with the date "1916" were minted at the Osaka Mint (Japan), they do not have the initials of the mintmaster under the eagle.
Silver nickels weighing 0.9 grams of the 1867 sample under Nicholas II were minted from 1897 to 1915, except for 1907. Copper coins of this denomination exist only with the dates "1911", "1912" (letters "SPB") and "1916", " 1917" (without letters), they are made according to the 1867 model.
Half-kopeck coins with the monogram of Nicholas II were issued in 1894-1900 and in 1908-1916, until 1915 they were marked with the mint mark. Among the coins of 1895 there is a rare monogram variant, which has three petals in the upper curls of the letter “H”.
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