Stamps of the mints of Russia. Where is the mint on the coin?

Collecting coins, or numismatics - the most popular kind of collecting. Some consider it wrong to call coin collecting a numismatics, since this word denotes the science of the origin and history of coins. However, the essence of the process does not change from this.

There are three main areas of collecting coins: thematic (collection of coins with certain images), collecting commemorative coins and jubilees, weathering (coins of a certain country by year and mint, that is, they have certain hallmarks of mints of Russia or another state).

It is worth noting that collecting coins is a very expensive hobby. Old copies can cost hundreds of thousands, and even millions of dollars. Not everyone can afford to buy a piece of metal for such a sum. Commemorative and commemorative coins also have a significant value, since in most cases they are made of precious metals or are produced in limited quantities. That is why among the beginner numismatists the most popular direction of collecting is the collection of weather forecasts of the USSR and Russia. But even here it's not so simple! Even coins of one state, denomination, year of issue and the same state can have a different value in the market.

Why are some coins more expensive?

For example, in the Russian Federation today there are two mints - in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Both these enterprises produced coins of the same nominal value at the same time period. However, one of the mints could issue a limited series. It is coins, minted in a smaller edition, will have a higher cost. Limited series can be explained by the fact that the mint did not have time with the coinage, and part of the order was transferred to the second one. Determine the manufacturer will help stamp mints of Russia.

What is a stigma?

The Mint is a state enterprise engaged in the manufacture of banknotes, orders, medals, memorable signs, coinage.

Stamp - the sign, the designation of the enterprise on which the coin is made (minted). As stamps of mints can serve as letters, monograms, icons, drawings and so on.

As noted earlier, on which mint - Moscow or St. Petersburg - minted a coin, its market value depends.

The first domestic coin, on which there is a stamp of the mint, is the 1975 ruble, dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the Victory in the Second World War. The monogram (stigma) of the mint is minted at the bottom right of the image of the monument. In the future, on the copper-nickel commemorative coins of the Soviet Union, there were no stamps of mints. In addition to Russian coins, the stigma of the Russian Mint (SPMD - St. Petersburg Mint) stands on the coins of Tajikistan.

Where on the coins are the stamps of the mints of Russia?

In 1991, the stamps of the mints were the letters "M" and "L" - the Moscow and Leningrad Mints. On Soviet coins the brand was on the right of the coat of arms. The exception is 5 and 10 kopecks. 1990

On coins of various embossed minting of 1991-1992 (the so-called issue of the State Emergency Committee), there are various signs of Russian mints. Letter "M" - 10 kopecks, the letter "L" - 50 kopecks, monograms of LMD and MMD - 1 ruble. On coins of this period, the stamps of mints are located under the denomination.

On all modern coins in circulation, there are mints of Russia (designations - M, MMD, SP, SPMD). On coins (1-50 kopecks) under the hoof of a horse can be located SM or M. The letter "M" stands on coins minted by the Moscow Mint, "St. Petersburg" - St. Petersburg.

This principle is also observed on coins with a nominal value of 1, 2, 5 and 10 rubles. If you look closely, you can see monograms MMD or SPMD (Moscow or St. Petersburg Mint, respectively) on the coin on the left under the paw of the double-headed eagle. However, even here there are differences - on coins of one mint and one year of coinage the stigma has a different disposition relative to the eagle's paw. The market value of products with offset is slightly higher.

Why are there no marks on some coins?

It should also be noted that there can be no hallmark of Russian mints on the coin. Most often, his absence is a production marriage - a monogram or an alphabetic designation is simply forgotten to be applied during the manufacture of a stamp. To date, we know of four coins without stamps - 1 ruble 1993 (timed to the 130th anniversary of the birth of Vernadsky), 5 kopecks in 2002 and 2003, 2 rubles 2001 with the image of Yuri Gagarin (40 years of the first human flight into the space). These coins are quite rare, and, therefore, have a special value for collectors.

As for Soviet coins, almost all of them have no brand. Identify the mint by examining the coin in detail. Some features of the design of stamps allow you to determine the place of coinage. The most obvious differences are in the letter designation on the coin.

The history of the Moscow Mint (stigma M, MMD)

In Moscow coinage was conducted for several centuries, but the official date of foundation of a modern enterprise is 25.04.1942. In 1995 the mint became part of the state association Goznak. Under the state order the production of orders, medals and coins is carried out by the Moscow Mint. Moscow also performs coinage minting for foreign orders and produces medals and badges for private orders. In addition, this mint produces investment and commemorative coins, coins from precious metals.

The history of the St. Petersburg Mint (stigma L, SP, SPMD)

The city in which the oldest operating mint of Russia is located is St. Petersburg. The Mint was founded in 1724 by Peter I. The Peter and Paul Fortress was chosen as the base. This enterprise is one of the largest mints in the world. Also, the building is a unique architectural monument and the oldest industrial enterprise of the city. The mint is engaged in the manufacture of insignia, orders, medals, chasing commemorative and commemorative coins, including coins made of precious metals.