A Coin at the Crossroads of Eras

The 10 kopek coin of 1921 has a kind of 'dual soul.' On the one hand, its design still carries the legacy and 'breath' of the bygone empire, while on the other, it is a full-fledged symbol of the new government, a coin of the RSFSR.

This is a monetary token of the young Soviet republic, which was just beginning to recover after the Civil War. The full name of the state indicated on the coin is the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic.

Technical Specifications and Mintage

The coin was minted at the Petrograd Mint. It was made from 500-grade silver, which was typical for the first Soviet coins issued during a period when the population still did not trust paper banknotes.

The main parameters of the coin are presented in the table below. This data is important for determining the authenticity of a specimen.

These specifications precisely matched the standards of the time and today serve as key benchmarks for collectors.

Design: Obverse and Reverse

The coin's design fully reflects the ideology of the new state. On the front side (obverse), the center features the coat of arms of the RSFSR — an early form of the Soviet emblem used before the formation of the USSR in 1922.

• Coat of arms with a hammer and sickle against a sun background.
• A wreath of wheat ears tied with a ribbon.
• The slogan around the circumference: 'PROLETARIANS OF ALL COUNTRIES, UNITE!'.
• A five-pointed star above the coat of arms.
• The abbreviation 'RSFSR' below the coat of arms.

On the back side (reverse) of the coin, the denomination takes center stage. A dotted rim runs along the edge of the reverse.

• The denomination '10 KOPEKS'.
• The year of mintage '1921'.
• A laurel-oak wreath framing the denomination and date.
• A five-pointed star at the top.

Historical Context and Value

This coin is one of the first of a new era. After the end of the Civil War and the introduction of the New Economic Policy (NEP), the country needed reliable money. From 1921 to 1923, coins in denominations of 10, 15, 20, 50 kopeks, as well as 1 ruble, were minted from silver.

Soon, the state switched to cheaper copper-nickel alloys. In fact, the 10 kopeks of 1921 became the last silver 'ten-kopek coin' in the history of Soviet money. From 1924 onwards, silver was withdrawn from circulation, giving way to nickel and aluminum.

Thus, this coin symbolizes the 'swan song' of the old monetary world, but now under the Soviet flag, which significantly increases its historical importance.

Collector's Value and How to Spot a Counterfeit

The value of the 1921 10 kopek coin directly depends on its condition. Specimens in mint condition, with original luster, can be valued at up to 100 euros. Coins that have retained their bright silver sheen and show no signs of cleaning are particularly prized.

Due to its precious metal content, the coin is often counterfeited, sometimes by filing the edge. To determine the authenticity of a coin, several key parameters should be checked.

• Weight: must be exactly 1.8 grams.
• Diameter: must be 17.3 mm.
• Edge: must be reeded and even.
• Magnetic properties: silver is not magnetic, so the coin should not react to a magnet.

A thorough check of these characteristics will help you avoid buying a counterfeit and add a genuine historical artifact to your collection.