The first thing a beginner numismatist should learn is to identify the mint where the coin was made. This skill will come in handy more than once, because in many ways, the value of a coin is determined precisely by where it was minted and in what quantity.
It is necessary
- - coin
- - magnifier
Instructions
Step 1
Determine the year of issue of the coin
First, determine in which year the coin was issued. Mints appeared in Russia as early as the 11th century, but they did not begin to indicate their emblems on coins right away. Quite often, the initials of the master who made the coin were indicated. So, look for the minting date on your coin. If you could not find it, but assume that the coin was issued during the time of Tsarist Russia, then in most cases only an experienced specialist can determine the mint. The fact is that until the beginning of the 20th century, about three dozen mints functioned in Russia, and often their letter designations coincided. Difficulties will also arise if the coin was issued during the Soviet era, because until 1990, the mint emblem was simply not indicated.
Step 2
Where to find the mint emblem?
So, you made sure that the coin was issued between 1990 and the present, the next step is to find where the mint emblem is indicated, or the abbreviation of its name. On coins of the early 1990s, as well as on modern commemorative coins with a denomination of 10 rubles, the mint mark should be looked for directly under the denomination. On coins from 1 to 50 kopecks, the mint emblem is indicated under the left front hoof of the horse, and coins from 1 to 10 rubles are stamped under the paw of a two-headed eagle on the right side. Thus, the mint can be indicated on the coin in three places, and inspect them.
Step 3
What kind of emblems are there?
Today in Russia there are two mints - St. Petersburg and Moscow, and they are usually designated by abbreviations. The Moscow Mint has the following abbreviations: M (coins in denominations of 1-50 kopecks), MMD (coins in denominations of 1 ruble or more). The St. Petersburg Mint is indicated as S-P (1-50 kopecks), SPMD (on coins from 1 ruble), L or LMD (on Soviet-style coins). Abbreviations can be seen well only with the help of a magnifying glass, but more often than not, it is enough to simply understand the first letter.
Step 4
And if there is no emblem?
If you carefully examined the coin from all sides and did not find the cherished emblem anywhere, this is also a good sign. If there is really no acronym, it means marriage. Yes, it happens at the mint too. But in any case, do not be discouraged, because due to their rarity, such coins are valued higher than ordinary ones.
