Commemorative Coins of The USSR and Russia
Eleven commemorative platinum coins with a 150-ruble face value were produced in the Soviet Union between 1977 and 1991. The first 5-coin set was dedicated to the Moscow Olympics in 1980 and was a part of a large minting which included various copper-nickel coins (8.5 million pcs.), fourteen silver coins of 5 and 10 rubles (16.67 and 33.3 g respectively) and six 100-ruble gold coins (17.3 g). These "XXII Summer Olympic Games" platinum coins depicted the emblem of the Olympics and fragments of the ancient Olympic Games, and were issued in the period 1977–1980 in the two versions, proof and uncirculated. The proof minting technique (coins with mirrored background and frosted image) was first introduced in the Soviet Union in 1977 specifically for the Olympic commemorative series, and its quality (especially of the snow-like images) has been praised by experts.
| Olympics-1980: Emblem of the games | |||||||||
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| Year | Value | Grading | Purity | Weight, g | Diameter, mm | # (proof), pcs. | # (uncirculated), pcs. | Obverse | Reverse |
| 1977 | 150 rubles | Proof/AC | 999/1000 | 15.57 | 28.6 | 24,160 | 9,910 | ||
| Obverse: Coat of Arms of the USSR and the face value
Reverse: Emblem of the XXII Olympic Games with a laurel wreath. Bottom – minting year, left – trade mark of the mint, along the rim: "The Games of the XXII Olympiad. MOSCOW. 1980" Design: Ermakov Mint: Leningrad Mint (LMD). |
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| Olympics-80: Discus Thrower | |||||||||
| Year | Value | Grading | Purity | Weight, g | Diameter, mm | # (proof), pcs. | # (uncirculated), pcs. | Obverse | Reverse |
| 1978 | 150 rubles | Proof/AC | 999/1000 | 15.57 | 28.6 | 19,853 | 13,403 | ||
| Obverse: Coat of Arms of the USSR and the face value
Reverse: Discus thrower, below – the mint trademark and the minting year, right – emblem of the games, along the rim: "The Games of the XXII Olympiad. MOSCOW. 1980" Design: Ermakov Mint: Leningrad Mint (LMD). |
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| Olympics-80: Champions | |||||||||
| Year | Value | Grading | Purity | Weight, g | Diameter, mm | # (proof), pcs. | # (uncirculated), pcs. | Obverse | Reverse |
| 1979 | 150 rubles | Proof/AC | 999/1000 | 15.57 | 28.6 | 13,578 | 18,978 | ||
| Obverse: Coat of Arms of the USSR and the face value
Reverse: Two wrestlers on the backdrop of ancient columns. Between the columns – the emblem of games, under the left column – the trade mark of the mint, bottom – the minting year, along the rim: "The Games of the XXII Olympiad. MOSCOW. 1980" Design: Ermakov Mint: Leningrad Mint (LMD). |
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| Olympics-80: Quadriga | |||||||||
| Year | Value | Grading | Purity | Weight, g | Diameter, mm | Circulation (proof), pc. | # (uncirculated), pcs. | Obverse | Reverse |
| 1979 | 150 rubles | Proof/AC | 999/1000 | 15.57 | 28.6 | 17,078 | 9,728 | ||
| Obverse: Coat of Arms of the USSR and the face value
Reverse: Two chariots, left – the emblem of games, bottom – the mint trademark and the minting year, along the rim: "The Games of the XXII Olympiad. MOSCOW. 1980" Design: Ermakov Mint: Leningrad Mint (LMD). |
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| Olympics-80: Runners | |||||||||
| Year | Value | Grading | Purity | Weight, g | Diameter, mm | Circulation (proof), pc. | # (uncirculated), pcs. | Obverse | Reverse |
| 1980 | 150 rubles | Proof/AC | 999/1000 | 15.57 | 28.6 | 12,870 | 7,820 | ||
| Obverse: Coat of Arms of the USSR and the face value
Reverse: Two ancient runners, right – the emblem of games, bottom – the mint trademark and the minting year, along the rim: "The Games of the XXII Olympiad. MOSCOW. 1980" Design: Ermakov Mint: Leningrad Mint (LMD). |
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Despite the large circulation of the Olympic platinum coins (about 20,000, compared with 750 pcs. for the 1993 series "Russian Ballet"), they are difficult to find at the Russian numismatic markets. This is mostly because of the level of export to America, Europe, and Israel. Since 1977, the commemorative platinum coins have been issued every year, but designs unrelated to the Olympics appeared only on 13 September 1988, with the series "1000 years of ancient coinage, literature, architecture and the Baptism of Russia." The series consisted of two silver coins (3-ruble, "Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kiev" and "Srebrenic of Vladimir"), two gold coins (50-ruble "Saint Sophia Cathedral in Novgorod" and 100-ruble "Zlatnik of Vladimir"), the 25-ruble palladium coin "Monument to Prince Vladimir Svyatoslavich", and the 150-ruble platinum coin "The Tale of Igor's Campaign". This series was the first time palladium was used for minting coins. This series was highly praised internationally and awarded the first prize for the quality of minting at the 1988 numismatic exhibition in Basel.
| Series: 1000 years of coinage, literature, architecture, and the Baptism of Russia. The Tale of Igor's Campaign | ||||||||
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| Year | Value | Grading | Purity | Weight, g | Diameter, mm | # pcs. | Obverse | Reverse |
| 1988 | 150 rubles | Proof | 999/1000 | 15.57 | 28.6 | 16,000 | ||
| Obverse: Coat of Arms of the USSR and the face value
Reverse: An scribe at work with cavalry troops in the background. Bottom: "The Tale of Igor's Campaign · 1185", along the rim: "1000 years of ancient literature" Design: A.V. Baklanov Mint: Leningrad Mint (LMD). |
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| Series: 500 years of united Russian state. Standing on the Ugra | ||||||||
| Year | Value | Grading | Purity | Weight, g | Diameter, mm | # pcs. | Obverse | Reverse |
| 1989 | 150 rubles | Proof | 999/1000 | 15.57 | 28.6 | 16,000 | ||
| Obverse: Coat of Arms of the USSR and the face value
Reverse: Two cavalry forces facing each other with the river between them, around the image: "500 years of united Russian state", bottom: "Standing on the Ugra · 1480" Design: A.V. Baklanov Mint: Leningrad Mint (LMD). |
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| Series: 500 years of united Russian state. Battle of Poltava | ||||||||
| Year | Value | Grading | Purity | Weight, g | Diameter, mm | # pcs. | Obverse | Reverse |
| 1990 | 150 rubles | Proof | 999/1000 | 15.57 | 28.6 | 16,000 | ||
| Obverse: Coat of Arms of the USSR and the face value
Reverse: Russian cavalry charging at the Swedish troops, around the image: "500 years of united Russia", bottom: "Battle of Poltava 1709" Design: A.V. Baklanov Mint: Leningrad Mint (LMD). |
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| Series: 250 years of discovery of Russian America. St. Gabriel | ||||||||
| Year | Value | Grading | Purity | Weight, g | Diameter, mm | # pcs. | Obverse | Reverse |
| 1990 | 150 rubles | Proof | 999/1000 | 15.57 | 28.6 | 6,500 | ||
| Obverse: Coat of Arms of the USSR and the face value
Reverse: Sailing boat in wavy sea, around: "250 years of the discovery of Russian America", bottom: "BOT St. GAVRIIL/M. GVOZDEV – 1732", divided decorative element. Design: A.V. Baklanov Mint: Leningrad Mint (LMD). |
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| Series: 500 years of united Russia. War of 1812 | ||||||||
| Year | Value | Grading | Purity | Weight, g | Diameter, mm | # pcs. | Obverse | Reverse |
| 1991 | 150 rubles | Proof | 999/1000 | 15.57 | 28.6 | 16,000 | ||
| Obverse: Coat of Arms of the USSR and the face value
Reverse: An obelisk with an angel holding a cross, left – portrait of Napoleon, right – portrait of Alexander I (with names under both portraits), around the image: "500 YEARS OF UNITED RUSSIA", below: "PATRIOTIC WAR OF 1812." Design: A.V. Baklanov Mint: Leningrad Mint (LMD). |
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| Series: 250-anniversary of the discovery of Russian America. John Benjamin | ||||||||
| Year | Value | Grading | Purity | Weight, g | Diameter, mm | # pcs. | Obverse | Reverse |
| 1991 | 150 rubles | Proof | 999/1000 | 15.57 | 28.6 | 6,500 | ||
| Obverse: Coat of Arms of the USSR and the face value
Reverse: The image of Ivan Veniaminov, in monk's dress, holding a cross, with a sailing boat in the background. Around it: "250 years of the discovery of Russian America", below: "Ivan Veniaminov – missionary and educator" Design: A.V. Baklanov Mint: Leningrad Mint (LMD). |
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The price for platinum coins of the USSR (proof quality) typically exceeds $1,500 per coin.
Russia issued 16 platinum coins starting from 1992, with the face value (weight) of 25 (1/10 oz), 50 (1/4 oz) and 150 rubles (1/2 oz). Minting was suspended in 1996, with the last coin of 150 rubles dedicated to the 1240 Battle of the Neva.
| Series: The Age of Enlightenment. 18th Century. Battle of Chesma | |||||||||
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| Date | Catalogue # |
Value | Grading | Purity | Total weight, g | Platinum contents, at least, g | Diameter, mm | Thickness, mm | # pcs. |
| 24 November 1992 | 5318-0001 | 150 rubles | Proof | 999/1000 | 15.67 (± 0.11) | 15.55 | 28.60 (−0.25) | 1.5 (± 0.2) | 3000 |
| Obverse: two-headed eagle (designed by I. Bilibin), bottom – BANK OF RUSSIA. At the bottom – the designation of metal, alloy, the precious metal content and the mint trademark.
Reverse: three sailing ships and a boat at the Battle of Chesma, around: "Age of Enlightenment. 18th century.", bottom: "Battle of Chesma" Design: A.V. Baklanov Mint: Leningrad Mint (LMD). 240 indents on the rim. |
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| Series: The Olympic Century Russia. First participation of Russia in the Olympics | |||||||||
| Date | Catalogue # |
Value | Grading | Purity | Total weight, g | Platinum contents, at least, g | Diameter, mm | Thickness, mm | # pcs. |
| 20 January 1993 | 5316-0001 | 50 rubles | Proof | 999/1000 | 7.88 (± 0.09) | 7.78 | 20.0 (−0.15) | 1.60 (± 0.15) | 7500 |
| Obverse: center – the emblem of the Bank of Russia (two-headed eagle designed by I. Bilibin), bottom – symbol, purity and weight of platinum, "BANK OF RUSSIA"
Reverse: two horse riders – Russian participants of the II Olympic Games, right – the Eiffel Tower, left – the emblem of the Russian Olympic Committee, around: "OLYMPIC AGE OF RUSSIA, FIRST PARTICIPANCE · PARIS" Design: A.V. Baklanov (obverse), N.A. Nosov (reverse) Mint: Leningrad Mint (LMD). 134 indents on the rim. |
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| Series: Russian Ballet (25 rubles) | |||||||||
| Date | Catalogue # |
Value | Grading | Purity | Total weight, g | Platinum contents, at least, g | Diameter, mm | Thickness, mm | # pcs. |
| 19 April 1993 | 5315-0001 | 25 rubles | Proof | 999/1000 | 3.198 (± 0.08) | 3.11 | 16.0 (−0.1) | 1.00 (± 0.15) | 750 |
| Obverse: center – the emblem of the Bank of Russia (two-headed eagle designed by I. Bilibin), bottom – symbol, purity and weight of platinum, "BANK OF RUSSIA"
Reverse: a dancing ballerina, around it: "RUSSIAN BALLET" Design: A.V. Baklanov Mint: Leningrad Mint (LMD). 111 indents on the rim. |
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| Series: Russian Ballet (50 rubles) | |||||||||
| Date | Catalogue # |
Value | Grading | Purity | Total weight, g | Platinum contents, at least, g | Diameter, mm | Thickness, mm | # pcs. |
| 19 April 1993 | 5316-0002 | 50 rubles | Proof | 999/1000 | 7.88 (± 0.09) | 7.78 | 20.0 (−0.15) | 1.60 (± 0.15) | 750 |
| Obverse: center – the emblem of the Bank of Russia (two-headed eagle designed by I. Bilibin), bottom – symbol, purity and weight of platinum, "BANK OF RUSSIA"
Reverse: a dancing ballerina, around it: "RUSSIAN BALLET" Design: A.V. Baklanov Mint: Leningrad Mint (LMD) 134 indents on the rim. |
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| Series: Russian Ballet (150 rubles) | |||||||||
| Date | Catalogue # |
Value | Grading | Purity | Total weight, g | Platinum contents, at least, g | Diameter, mm | Thickness, mm | # pcs. |
| 19 April 1993 | 5318-0002 | 150 rubles | Proof | 999/1000 | 15.67 (± 0.11) | 15.55 | 22.60 (−0.25) | 1.5 (± 0.2) | 750 |
| Obverse: center – the emblem of the Bank of Russia (two-headed eagle designed by I. Bilibin), bottom – symbol, purity and weight of platinum, "BANK OF RUSSIA"
Reverse: a dancing ballerina, around it: "RUSSIAN BALLET" Design: A.V. Baklanov Mint: Leningrad Mint (LMD) 240 indents on the rim. |
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| Geographical Series: The first Russian voyage around the world. English Embankment in St. Petersburg | |||||||||
| Date | Catalogue # |
Value | Grading | Purity | Total weight, g | Platinum contents, at least, g | Diameter, mm | Thickness, mm | # pcs. |
| 28 April 1993 | 5318-0003 | 150 rubles | Proof | 999/1000 | 15.67 (± 0.11) | 15.55 | 28.60 (−0.25) | 1.5 (± 0.2) | 2500 |
| Obverse: center – the emblem of the Bank of Russia (two-headed eagle designed by I. Bilibin), bottom – symbol, purity and weight of platinum, "BANK OF RUSSIA"
Reverse: ships Nadezhda and Neva and two boats. Background – houses of Russia's State Chancellor Count N.P. Rumyantsev in St. Petersburg on the English Embankment of the Neva River. Around it: "The first Russian voyage around the world 1803 • 1806" "English Embankment" Design: A.V. Baklanov Mint: Leningrad Mint (LMD). 240 indents on the rim. |
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| Historical Series: Russia's Contribution to World Culture. I. Stravinsky | |||||||||
| Date | Catalogue # |
Value | Grading | Purity | Total weight, g | Platinum contents, at least, g | Diameter, mm | Thickness, mm | # pcs. |
| 13 December 1993 | 5318-0004 | 150 rubles | Proof | 999/1000 | 15.67 (± 0.11) | 15.55 | 28.60 (−0.25) | 1.5 (± 0.2) | 3000 |
| Obverse: center – the emblem of the Bank of Russia (two-headed eagle designed by I. Bilibin), bottom – symbol, purity and weight of platinum, "BANK OF RUSSIA"
Reverse: the image of Igor Stravinsky, background – a scene from the ballet "Petrushka", left – a lyre and a laurel branch, around: "RUSSIA AND WORLD CULTURE", "I. Stravinsky" Design: A.V. Baklanov Mint: Leningrad Mint (LMD) 240 indents on the rim. |
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| Series: Russian Ballet (25 rubles, 1994) | |||||||||
| Date | Catalogue # |
Value | Grading | Purity | Total weight, g | Platinum contents, at least, g | Diameter, mm | Thickness, mm | # pcs. |
| 07.06.1994 | 5315-0002 | 25 rubles | Proof | 999/1000 | 3.198 (± 0.08) | 3.11 | 16.0 (−0.1) | 1.00 (± 0.15) | 900 |
| Obverse: two-headed eagle (designed by I. Bilibin), bottom – symbol, purity and weight of platinum, "BANK OF RUSSIA"
Reverse: a dancing ballerina, around it: "RUSSIAN BALLET" Design: A.V. Baklanov Mint: Leningrad Mint (LMD) 111 indents on the rim. |
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| Series: Russian Ballet (50 rubles, 1994) | |||||||||
| Date | Catalogue # |
Value | Grading | Purity | Total weight, g | Platinum contents, at least, g | Diameter, mm | Thickness, mm | # pcs. |
| 07.06.1994 | 5316-0003 | 50 rubles | Proof | 999/1000 | 7.88 (± 0.09) | 7.78 | 20.0 (−0.15) | 1.60 (± 0.15) | 900 |
| Obverse: two-headed eagle (designed by I. Bilibin), bottom – symbol, purity and weight of platinum, "BANK OF RUSSIA"
Reverse: a dancing ballerina, around it: "RUSSIAN BALLET" Design: A.V. Baklanov Mint: Leningrad Mint (LMD) 134 indents on the rim. |
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| Series: Russian Ballet (150 rubles, 1994) | |||||||||
| Date | Catalogue # |
Value | Grading | Purity | Total weight, g | Platinum contents, at least, g | Diameter, mm | Thickness, mm | # pcs. |
| 07.06.1994 | 5318-0005 | 150 rubles | Proof | 999/1000 | 15.67 (± 0.11) | 15.55 | 28.6 (−0.25) | 1.5 (± 0.2) | 900 |
| Obverse: two-headed eagle (designed by I. Bilibin), bottom – symbol, purity and weight of platinum, "BANK OF RUSSIA"
Reverse: a dancing ballerina, around it: "RUSSIAN BALLET" Design: A.V. Baklanov Mint: Leningrad Mint (LMD). 240 indents on the rim. |
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| Geographical Series: First Russian Antarctic Expedition | |||||||||
| Date | Catalogue # |
Value | Grading | Purity | Total weight, g | Platinum contents, at least, g | Diameter, mm | Thickness, mm | # pcs. |
| 06.09.1994 | 5318-0006 | 150 rubles | Proof | 999/1000 | 15.67 (± 0.11) | 15.55 | 28.6 (−0.25) | 1.5 (± 0.2) | 4000 |
| Obverse: two-headed eagle (designed by I. Bilibin), bottom – symbol, purity and weight of platinum, "BANK OF RUSSIA"
Reverse: ships Vostok and Mirny, under them – a boat with rowers, penguins on an ice floe, around: "FIRST RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION 1819–1821", "in Antarctic waters" Design: A.V. Baklanov Mint: Leningrad Mint (LMD) 240 indents on the rim. |
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| Historical Series: Russia's Contribution to World Culture. Mikhail Vrubel | |||||||||
| Date | Catalogue # |
Value | Grading | Purity | Total weight, g | Platinum contents, at least, g | Diameter, mm | Thickness, mm | # pcs. |
| 17 November 1994 | 5318-0007 | 150 rubles | Proof | 999/1000 | 15.67 (± 0.11) | 15.55 | 28.6 (−0.25) | 1.5 (± 0.2) | 3000 |
| Obverse: two-headed eagle (designed by I. Bilibin), bottom – symbol, purity and weight of platinum, "BANK OF RUSSIA"
Reverse: self-portrait of Mikhail Vrubel, below – a palette and brushes, to the right – a fragment of his painting Demon Seated in a Garden, around: "RUSSIA AND WORLD CULTURE", "M. Vrubel" Design: A.V. Baklanov Mint: Leningrad Mint (LMD). 240 indents on the rim. |
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| Series: Russian Ballet. Sleeping Beauty (25 rubles) | |||||||||
| Date | Catalogue # |
Value | Grading | Purity | Total weight, g | Platinum contents, at least, g | Diameter, mm | Thickness, mm | # pcs. |
| 16 June 1995 | 5315-0003 | 25 rubles | Proof | 999/1000 | 3.198 (± 0.08) | 3.11 | 16.0 (−0.1) | 1.00 (± 0.15) | 900 |
| Obverse: center – the emblem of the Bank of Russia (two-headed eagle designed by I. Bilibin), bottom – symbol, purity and weight of platinum, "BANK OF RUSSIA"
Reverse: in the center – a dancer, left to right in a circle – the inscription: "Sleeping Beauty". Design: A.V. Baklanov Mint: Saint Petersburg Mint (LMD) 111 indents on the rim. |
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| Series: Russian Ballet. Sleeping Beauty (50 rubles) | |||||||||
| Date | Catalogue # |
Value | Grading | Purity | Total weight, g | Platinum contents, at least, g | Diameter, mm | Thickness, mm | # pcs. |
| 16 June 1995 | 5316-0004 | 50 rubles | Proof | 999/1000 | 7.88 (± 0.09) | 7.78 | 20.0 (−0.15) | 1.60 (± 0.15) | 900 |
| Obverse: center – the emblem of the Bank of Russia (two-headed eagle designed by I. Bilibin), bottom – symbol, purity and weight of platinum, "BANK OF RUSSIA"
Reverse: a dancer, around him: "Sleeping Beauty" Design: A.V. Baklanov Mint: Saint Petersburg Mint (LMD) 134 indents on the rim. |
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| Series: Russian Ballet. Sleeping Beauty (150 rubles) | |||||||||
| Date | Catalogue # |
Value | Grading | Purity | Total weight, g | Platinum contents, at least, g | Diameter, mm | Thickness, mm | # pcs. |
| 16 June 1995 | 5318-0008 | 150 rubles | Proof | 999/1000 | 15.67 (± 0.11) | 15.55 | 22.60 (−0.25) | 1.5 (± 0.2) | 900 |
| Obverse: center – the emblem of the Bank of Russia (two-headed eagle designed by I. Bilibin), bottom – symbol, purity and weight of platinum, "BANK OF RUSSIA"
Reverse: a dancer, around him: "Sleeping Beauty" Design: A.V. Baklanov Mint: Saint Petersburg Mint (LMD) 134 indents on the rim. |
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| Historical Series: 1000 years of Russia. Alexander Nevsky | |||||||||
| Date | Catalogue # |
Value | Grading | Purity | Total weight, g | Platinum contents, at least, g | Diameter, mm | Thickness, mm | # pcs. |
| 28 December 1995 | 5318-0009 | 150 rubles | Proof | 999/1000 | 15.55 (± 0.09) | 15.5 | 28.6 (−0.25) | 1.5 (± 0.2) | 3000 |
| Obverse: center – the emblem of the Bank of Russia (two-headed eagle designed by I. Bilibin), bottom – symbol, purity and weight of platinum, "BANK OF RUSSIA"
Reverse: a fight between four Russian soldiers and a Swedish knight, around: "1000 YEARS OF RUSSIA · Alexander Nevsky", "BATTLE AT THE RIVER NEVA 1240" Design: A.V. Baklanov Mint: Saint Petersburg Mint (LMD). 240 indents on the rim. |
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Read more about this topic: Platinum Coin
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