5 Kopecks - Nikolai I (СМ) Information on Individual Coin, Please! [επιλυμένο]

Hi Folks! 

 Can anyone please help me with some information on this particular coin, individually, not in general? I would like to know whether some of the coin's ‘damage’ is pre- or post-mintage. I call your attention to the lower right of the rim in the first picture. I have seen others of the same coin with this. What causes it, please? Also to the line, or crack, near the '5’, and small ‘lumps’ of excess metal, visible to the left of the ‘5’, within the ‘O’, and below the ‘C.M.’ Thanks.

 If anyone is willing to venture a grade, that too would be appreciated. The weight is 22.72g. The diameter is 36.5 mm. The coin is made of copper. Here is this coin's Numista Catalogue Number: N# 102265

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Cheers, AY

Definitely all produced at the mint due to poor quality control at all mints for these low value copper coins. The line you refer to is a die crack. Where the die is starting to fail. The bumps of extra metal are cuds resulting from and associated with failing dies and die cracks. The off center strikes are common among these coins regardless of mint as the dies were clearly smaller than the poorly manufactured planchets. I would grade your coin at about F15. A little better than fine 12 but not quite as good as VF20. Just my opinion. Russian experts may disagree. N#102265

Thanks, harryg, you have confirmed my suspicions and those of a friend, but have managed to say it with aplomb. It is always profitable, I find, to have things looked over by those more expert than yourself. I think you have solved this, but I would like to keep this open for a little while longer, just in case a Russian expert comes along. Thanks for your valuable input. Cheers, AY

COME ON RUSSIAN EXPERTS, I'D VALUE YOUR INPUT!

I agree, there is a slightly off-center strike and die cracks/chips. Both don't add value to it. I'd grade it as VF

Grinya

Both don't add value to it. I'd grade it as VF

Hello, Grinya! Thanks for your input. I agree with both of your comments. Cheers, AY

Arthur Yapp

just in case a Russian expert comes along

Everything looks normal for that period. Excess of metal, off center strikes, cracks are quite common. Only the left head of the eagle may have been damaged in the process of circulation. The preservation is average for this issue, the grade can be VF20 or 25. The price in Russia may be about 35 usd.

ciscoins

Arthur Yapp

just in case a Russian expert comes along

Everything looks normal for that period. Excess of metal, off center strikes, cracks are quite common. Only the left head of the eagle may have been damaged in the process of circulation. The preservation is average for this issue, the grade can be VF20 or 25. The price in Russia may be about 35 usd.

Thanks, ciscoins. I must look up the grade. We use the European system here in New Zealand, so I'm unsure what the numbers mean. 35 USD sounds like a lot. I paid 14.50 NZD and am watching a New Zealand auction that finishes on Saturday, our time, and is up to 25.50 NZD already (Wednesday). This coin is in better condition without die cracks or excess metal but still with the off-centre strike. It may also be E. M., but it is hard to tell. I appreciate your expert input. All the best, AY

The values mean X times the value of a large cent coin (in a certain condition?), at least when Sheldon created this scale if I remember correctly.

Here is a comparison of Sheldon and descriptive grading.

Hi Idolenz! Thank you for the helpful chart. Just when I thought I had the European system sussed, this far more complicated system pops up (I've been ignoring it). I understand that grading coins can be a life's work. All the best, AY