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The 15-ruble gold coin of 1897, issued during the reign of Nicholas II, has several varieties that are of interest to collectors. The key factor affecting its rarity and value is the difference in the obverse die.
| Number of letters behind the neck | Degree of Rarity |
| --- | --- |
| 3 letters | Common variety |
| 2 letters | Rare variety |
| 4 letters | Unique Rarity |
The 15-ruble gold coin of 1897, issued during the reign of Nicholas II, has several varieties that are of interest to collectors. The key factor affecting its rarity and value is the difference in the obverse die.
The main way to distinguish them is to count how many letters of the circular inscription go behind the truncation of the emperor's neck on the portrait. This seemingly minor nuance can radically change the value of the specimen.
It is by this feature that numismatists classify these gold coins of Tsarist Russia, determining their collectible significance.
The most common variety of the 1897 15-ruble coin is the one where three letters of the inscription go behind the truncation of the emperor's neck. Such coins form the basis for most collections dedicated to this period.
At auctions, you can find specimens in a high state of preservation, for example, in MS-63 grade. Recently, the value of the 1897 15-ruble coin of this variety has increased significantly. The auction price for such coins is already more than 3000 (currency not specified) plus commission.
The variety where only two letters go behind the neck is considered rarer and, accordingly, more expensive. Such specimens are found on the numismatic market about half as often as coins with three letters, which is confirmed by auction records.
The price difference between these two varieties can be from two to three hundred conventional units. Auction prices for coins with two letters, even in MS-62 condition, confidently exceed the 2000 euro mark plus commission.
There is also a third, exceptionally rare variety of this coin. Its distinguishing feature is four letters of the inscription going behind the truncation of the neck. This variant is considered a true numismatic rarity.
Finding such a coin is great luck for a collector, as it is not described in all specialized catalogs and is practically never found for sale. Its value is so high that it is difficult to even guess what it might be at auction.
