marsmike

I recently received an interesting 1811 2 kopek with an interesting mint mark. Are these common? Thanks, -mike

I just ordered a copy of this book. It sounds terrific, just the types of coins I collect! Thanks for your work making this book happen! -mike

Here is a triple struck 1820 2 kopek piece I recently acquired. I have several double struck, but no others triple struck, at least none that are triple struck and attractive as well.

Thanks for your work putting this online! I learned a lot about counterfeits just by browsing through it! It will certainly be very useful for helping me avoid costly mistakes! -mike

Higher resolution of crown.

Higher resolution of crown.

Another coin for show and tell. Not much to tell, except that it is very attractive. -mike

Hi al, Pardon if this is general knowledge, I'm rather ignorant on the history of the coinage of this period. What is the conventional explanation for these die pairings? Are there any good speculations on why such coins exist? Why would these eagle dies be retrieved to make coins? The dies are not particularly attractive or special in any way that I can tell. It seems rather odd that they would be needed. Thanks, -mike

This coin was offered to me by a coin dealer who knew I was seriously collecting Russian copper. All I know is that my dealer friend said it came from another collector, and that the collector clearly knew what it was and that it was very rare. Sorry, but that's all the background I have. -mike

The other side

Another recent acquisition for show and tell. Expensive, but attractive in hand. -marsmike

Dear extant4cell; Thanks! The coin is more interesting that I expected. -marsmike

Hi all, Thanks for your very interesting comments on the weird denga/kopek piece! I collect contemporary counterfeits, but don't have any of this era. So this becomes an interesting centerpiece of that collection. Still an ugly coin! -mike

Hi all, I just received a very unusual overstrike that I had not seen before, pictures attached. How rare is this? It can't be common or I would have seen one before. But I haven't really been looking. --mike

Just got another error of the same period. Now a 2 kopek. -mike