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The hobby of searching for old items, or 'metal detecting,' often yields unexpected finds. One such find was a 1/2 Kopek in Silver coin from 1841, minted at the Saint Petersburg Mint (SPM). Although it was the best specimen found in the ground, its condition was far from ideal.
The hobby of searching for old items, or 'metal detecting,' often yields unexpected finds. One such find was a 1/2 Kopek in Silver coin from 1841, minted at the Saint Petersburg Mint (SPM). Although it was the best specimen found in the ground, its condition was far from ideal.
The coin was cleaned with soap and coated with wax, but time and the earth had left their marks on it. In numismatics, there is a kind of 'quirk': upon finding a coin in poor condition, a collector gets a burning desire to acquire the same specimen, but in excellent quality. This story was no exception.
Contrary to the advice of some numismatists who advocate investing in silver in anticipation of price increases, attention was turned to a copper coin from the time of Nicholas I. On a local online marketplace, a 1/2 Kopek in Silver from 1842 was found in exceptional condition.
The coin had a pronounced mint luster, which is a great rarity for copper coins that are nearly 200 years old. The specimen was purchased for 50 euros, which seemed like a very rational purchase for such quality.
| Year of Mintage | Mint | Mintage (specimens) |
| 1840 | S.P.M. | ~ 4,000,000 |
| 1841 | S.P.M. | ~ 4,000,000 |
| 1842 | S.P.M. | 12,700,000 |
The appearance of this coin is linked to the monetary reform carried out under Nicholas I from 1839-1843. During the reform, the monetary standard was changed, which led to a reduction in the size of copper coins. The main mints—Yekaterinburg and Saint Petersburg—could not cope with the enormous volume of minting.
To increase production capacity, the mint at the Izhora Plants in Kolpino was reopened, which received the designation 'S.P.M.'. The mintages were colossal, which indicates intensive work. The intense work even took a toll on the tools: the die used to strike this coin had three or four cracks from wear.
An initial inspection of the coin offered hope for a high preservation grade, around MS 62 or MS 63 on the Sheldon scale. However, upon closer examination with a magnifying glass, some flaws were discovered. These defects could significantly affect the final verdict from the grading company.
The coin had scratches which, judging by their location on top of the patina, were the result of cleaning after it had left circulation. There was also a small black spot on the crown—the result of an amateur chemical intervention to remove the initial green oxide using acetone. Considering these factors, the most likely grade seemed to be 'UNC Details,' indicating unprofessional interference.
The coin was sent for grading to one of the world's leading companies—NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Company). Expectations were modest due to the scratches, so the final result was a real surprise.
Contrary to predictions, the coin did not receive a 'Details' designation. It was assigned a high grade of MS 63 BN (Mint State 63 Brown). This means that the experts, although they noticed the scratches, did not consider them critical enough. There is an opinion that graders are sometimes more lenient with copper coins, preferring to lower the score slightly but maintain a numerical condition grade.
| Grading Company | Number in MS 63 Grade | Highest Grade (quantity) |
| NGC | 6 (BN) | MS 64 (4) |
| PCGS | 4 (BN and RB) | MS 63 (4) |
| NNR (Russia) | - | MS 64 (1) |
Receiving such a high grade turned a seemingly ordinary coin into an item of collector's pride. Analysis of the databases of leading grading companies (Population Report) shows how rare such specimens are in a high state of preservation.
In total, there are only about 35 such coins in Mint State (uncirculated) condition across the three leading companies. The maximum grade for this type is MS 64. Thus, a specimen with a grade of MS 63 is a 'near top pop,' meaning it is one of the best coins of its type in the world as graded by NGC.
The unexpected success turned a rational purchase into an extremely successful investment. The coin's value increased significantly, and it can now help in acquiring other, rarer specimens for the collection.
