SINCONA Auction 84
Russian Coins and Medals
Description
5 Kopecks 1778, Avesta Mint. Bitkin 1287 (R3). Delzanno 129. AAH 107. Extremely rare. 200 roubles according to Ilyin. NGC XF45 BN.
During the Russian-Swedish War of 1788-1790, 5 Kopecks coins were minted at the Swedish mint and served as payment for Russian workers in the border regions. There were 5 Kopecks coins minted in 1788 with the dates 1764, 1778, and 1787. Sweden claimed that these were coins captured from Russian ships and not "counterfeit money". This war coinage is one of the most interesting phenomena in monetary history and one of the most popular rarities in Russian and Swedish numismatics.