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The core of the collection consists of coins from the reign of Nicholas II, forming what is known as a 'year set'. The condition of the specimens is not always of collector's quality, but they serve as a worthy starting point for a novice numismatist, allowing for the study of various mint years and coin types.
The core of the collection consists of coins from the reign of Nicholas II, forming what is known as a 'year set'. The condition of the specimens is not always of collector's quality, but they serve as a worthy starting point for a novice numismatist, allowing for the study of various mint years and coin types.
The first coin in the review is an 1898 ruble, minted at the Saint Petersburg Mint. This coin bears the initials of mintmaster Apollon Grasgof (АГ) with a dot. Despite its less-than-ideal condition, it has taken its place in the collection as an essential part of the year set.
| Year | Mintmaster | Feature | Portrait Type |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1899 | ЭБ | With dot | From 1897 die |
| 1899 | ЭБ | With dot, without hasta | Not specified |
| 1899 | ЭБ | Without dot | Not specified |
| 1899 | ФЗ | Regular strike | From 1899 die |
| 1899 | ФЗ | "Half F" | From 1899 die |
The year 1899 is represented in the collection by several interesting varieties, differing in both the mintmasters' initials and minting features. These nuances are extremely important for collectors, as they can significantly affect the rarity and value of a coin.
One such coin is the 1899 ruble with the initials ЭБ (Elikum Babayants) and a portrait made with an 1897 die. During this period, there were several types of the emperor's portraits, which creates additional avenues for collecting.
Rare minting variants are of particular interest. For example, the collection includes a coin from the same year (ЭБ with a dot) but with a 'without hasta' feature – the letter 'Ь' in the word 'РУБЛЬ' on the reverse is missing its lower horizontal stroke. Below is a table describing some of the 1899 varieties from the collection.
The collection also contains an 1899 coin with the initials ФЗ (Felix Zaleman), on which the letter 'Ф' on the edge looks like a 'Р' due to a weak strike (only half was minted).
Among the 1899 coins, a specimen with a smooth edge stands out. However, this is not an original rare variety but most likely the result of the edge inscription being carefully filed down on a lathe. This is evidenced by the coin's underweight status – 19.21 grams instead of the standard 20, meaning a loss of almost one gram of silver.
Next in chronological order is the 1900 ruble. This coin is considered rare. The specimen presented has the initials of mintmaster ФЗ. An interesting feature is a slight misalignment between the obverse and reverse, which is also a subject of study for numismatists.
The collection continues with rubles from the early 20th century. The 1901 ruble is represented by two variants with different portrait types: one was struck with the old 1900 die, and the other with the new one, characteristic of 1901. The differences are visible in the emperor's hairstyle and beard shape.
The 1907 ruble (ЭБ) is also an uncommon coin. The specimen in the collection is in decent condition, with good relief and patina. Such coins, produced in smaller mintages, are always of interest to collectors.
The 1912 coin (ЭБ) shows the effects of harsh cleaning. The coin's surface is covered with numerous scratches, likely from a metal brush. This serves as a clear example of how improper care can ruin a collectible specimen.
Commemorative coins hold a special place in numismatics, and the 1913 ruble, issued for the 300th anniversary of the Romanov dynasty, is no exception. The collection features two of the three main varieties of this coin:
The third variety, the convex strike, is distinguished by its high relief and is considered the most beautiful. The flat strike specimen in this collection shows signs of corrosion, which diminishes its collectible value.
The final years of Nicholas II's ruble minting are also represented in the collection. The 1915 ruble with the initials ВС (Viktor Smirnov) is rare, as it was the last year of issue. The specimen in the collection has a defect – a deep gash on the edge and obverse, likely from being struck by a shovel or another sharp object, which significantly reduced its value.
The collection also includes unusual gold coins. One of them is a restrike (official copy) of a rare 1902 donative coin with a dual denomination of 37 rubles 50 kopecks / 100 francs. This particular specimen is gold-plated, making it an extremely rare variant.
The collection is completed by a family heirloom – a 5 ruble gold coin from 1899 (ФЗ). This coin was passed down through generations in the family and was hidden from the Bolsheviks, which gives it special historical value.
