The Final Issues of the Suzun Mint

In the history of Russian numismatics, coins that were the last for a particular mint hold a special place. These include the '1 kopek in silver' coins of 1845, 1846, and 1847 — the last coins struck at the Suzun Mint.

These coins conclude an entire chapter in the history of Siberian coinage. Their appearance in collections is often linked to an interest in the final issues of the Yekaterinburg Mint, such as the 3 kopeks of 1876, which underscores their historical significance as the final chords in the operations of major productions.

Mysteries of the Suzun Mint

The history of the Suzun Mint still holds many secrets. One of the main questions that scholars cannot definitively answer is its connection to the Kolyvan copper. Whether these were two different plants or the same production facility is still a subject of debate.

Even the designation on the coins leaves room for interpretation. Today, a museum stands on the site where the mint was once located, preserving the memory of the region's industrial past.

Both interpretations of the abbreviation 'S.M.' are considered possible, and a final consensus has not yet been formed in the scientific community.

General Issue of '1 Kopek in Silver' Coins

During the reign of Nicholas I, coins with the denomination '1 kopek in silver' were minted from 1839 to 1847. Production was established at three mints simultaneously, each with its own designation.

• SPM — Saint Petersburg Mint
• EM — Yekaterinburg Mint
• SM — Suzun Mint

This distribution of production was typical for the time; however, the last three years of minting this denomination, from 1845 to 1847, were concentrated exclusively at the Suzun Mint.

A Tragic End: The Fire of 1847

The history of the Suzun Mint ended tragically. In the summer of 1847, a massive fire broke out at the facility, completely destroying it.

This event put an end not only to the issue of '1 kopek in silver' coins but also to all activities of one of Siberia's key industrial centers of that time. The coins of 1847 became unwitting witnesses to this devastating incident.

Value and Rarity of the Coins

The price of '1 kopek in silver' coins strongly depends on the year of issue and, consequently, the mintage. The 1839 coin is considered the most expensive in this series.

Coins issued from 1840 to 1844 were minted in huge quantities — over 20 million pieces per year. This makes them quite common and affordable for collectors.

The final issues from the Suzun Mint are valued higher due to significantly smaller mintages. In 1845-1846, about 5 million coins were issued, and in the final year, 1847, only 2.5 million.

• 1839: from 1500 rubles
• 1840-1844: from 300 rubles
• 1845-1847: from 600 rubles

The Unusual Fate of a Nicholas I Coin

Sometimes, old coins find a second, completely unexpected life. An example of this is one of the kopeks from the time of Nicholas I, which was converted into a counterfeit seal.

The reverse side of the coin was engraved with the image of the seal of the Syzran City Duma of the Simbirsk Uyezd. This artifact is a unique testament to how ordinary currency could be used for completely different, sometimes illegal, purposes.