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Among numismatic artifacts, one can find not only genuine specimens but also historical counterfeits. An example of such an object is a counterfeit 1913 three-kopek coin, preserved from an old collection. This coin was most likely produced by casting, as evidenced by its characteristic porosity.
Among numismatic artifacts, one can find not only genuine specimens but also historical counterfeits. An example of such an object is a counterfeit 1913 three-kopek coin, preserved from an old collection. This coin was most likely produced by casting, as evidenced by its characteristic porosity.
This counterfeit was created 'to the detriment of monetary circulation' about a hundred years ago. Unlike a standard struck coin, it is noticeably thinner and smaller in diameter. Although it is a counterfeit, such an artifact is of interest to some collectors as a testament to its era and serves as a centerpiece for a specific 'fetishist' collection.
At Swedish flea markets and auctions, one can sometimes find interesting specimens of Russian coins. This is how a selection of four copper three-kopek coins from the 1890s, from the reigns of Alexander III and Nicholas II, was found. This series of coins was minted for almost 50 years, starting with Alexander II.
The collection included coins from 1892, 1893, 1895, and 1897. These dates are considered quite interesting, as they are not the most common issue years, unlike the mass mintages of 1915 or 1916. Each has a different degree of preservation and rarity, making them subjects for detailed study and potential grading.
Before sending them for professional evaluation, it is important to carefully analyze the condition of each coin. In this selection, each coin has its own unique features.
| Coin | Received Grade |
| 3 Kopeks 1892 | AU 58 BN |
| 3 Kopeks 1897 | MS 62 BN |
After a careful selection, two coins—the 1892 and 1897—were sent for grading to NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation). The preliminary expectations were for an AU 58 grade, but with hopes of achieving an MS grade.
The results were very interesting and confirmed the high potential of the coins. Each received its deserved grade, which is now officially recorded in the slab.
The AU 58 grade confirmed the 'slider' status for the 1892 coin, while the 1897 coin exceeded expectations, receiving a high grade of MS 62. This demonstrates how expert examination helps to accurately determine the value of even seemingly common coins.
The grades received allow for an analysis of the rarity of coins in this condition. For the 1892 3 Kopeks in grade AU 58 BN, only 5 examples exist, with just 10 coins in better condition. At the same time, there is a large 'gap' in the population report: there are no coins graded 60, 61, or 62. This suggests that this particular specimen could potentially achieve a higher grade upon resubmission.
The 1897 3 Kopeks coin with a grade of MS 62 BN is also rare. Only 14 specimens in the world have a higher grade. For such a high-mintage coin, this is an excellent result, turning it into a 'condition rarity'—a rare specimen among common coins. While the fate of the 1897 coin is settled, the rare three-kopek coin of Alexander III may still be sent for a grade review.
