Russia, Empire Alexander II 1/2 Kopeck

History

1/2 Kopeck 1867-1881, Y# 8, Russia, Empire, Alexander II

1/2 Kopeck 1867-1881, Y# 8, Russia, Empire, Alexander II, Mint mark: С.П.Б. (Saint Petersburg Mint)

1/2 Kopeck 1867-1881, Y# 8, Russia, Empire, Alexander II, Mint mark: Е.М. (Ekaterinburg Mint)

1/2 Kopeck 1867-1881, Y# 8, Russia, Empire, Alexander II, Edge

Obverse. Photo © RARITETUS.ru

Description

Alexander II (1818-1881) was the Emperor of Russia from 1855 until his assassination in 1881. He was also the King of Poland and the Grand Duke of Finland. Alexander was the most successful Russian reformer since Peter the Great. His most important achievement was the emancipation of serfs in 1861, for which he became known as Alexander the Liberator. In foreign policy, Alexander sold Alaska to the United States in 1867. Among his greatest domestic challenges was an uprising in Poland in 1863, to which he responded by stripping that land of its separate Constitution and incorporating it directly into Russia.

Obverse	Crown, jewelry Imperial Crown of Russia Monogram, signature Alexander II Displays the monogram of Alexander II with a laurel branch on the left and an oak branch on the right. The Imperial Crown of Russia with two ends of flying ribbon of the Order of St. Andrew is above. The Imperial Crown of Russia, also known as the Great Imperial Crown, was used by the Emperors of Russia until the monarchy's abolition in 1917. The Great Imperial Crown was first used in a coronation by Catherine II, and was last used at the coronation of Nicholas II. It survived the subsequent revolution and a temporary sojourn in Ireland, and is currently on display in the Moscow Kremlin Armoury State Diamond Fund. Order of St. Andrew was established in 1698 by Tsar Peter the Great, in honour of Saint Andrew, the first apostle of Jesus and patron saint of Russia. A II
Reverse	Value flanked by stars and date. Mint marks: Е.М. - Ekaterinburg Mint С.П.Б. - Saint Petersburg Mint ★ 1/2 ★ КОПѢЙКИ 1869 С.П.Б.
Edge	Reeded (milled)