Denomination: Copper 2 Kopeks

Period: Romanov dynasty, house of Holstein-Gottorp- Romanov 

Date: 1902 (low issue year)

Origin: St. Petersburg

Condition: Near Extremely Fine, scarce in this high grade

Obverse: Crowned double-headed imperial eagle in a circle, legend around

Reverse: Denomination flanked by stars, Russian lettering denoting mint St. Petersburg, within beaded circle 

Size and Weight: 24mm, 6.44g

References: KM 10.2

Features and Provenance: Nicholas Alexandrovich Romanov was born in 1868 and was to become the last Emperor of Russia with his assassination at the age of 50 in 1918. His coronation took place in 1896, two years after his marriage to Alexandra Feodorovna. He was constantly at odds with parliament, believing in autocratic rule. Later there was strong aristocratic opposition, then major defeats in battle leading to the collapse of public support; he was forced to abdicate in 1917. The family was exiled in Serbia and finally executed in July 1918

A case could now be made that Nicholas II was not the last Tsar. We hope that Tsar Putin meets a similar end. We will be donating the entire proceeds of sale to the UNICEF Ukraine appeal.

Condition Summary. This varies with the age of coin and there are grades between

Uncirculated (U). As struck with no traces of wear

Extremely Fine (EF). Very slight traces of wear, all parts of legend etc present, visible and clear

Very Fine (VF). Some signs of wear on the higher parts of the relief, all parts of legend etc present, but maybe worn

Fine (F). Wear on the coin and parts of legend etc may be missing or not visible