Trial issue.
The third issue on the 32-ruble mint standard began in accordance with the Approved Opinion of the State Council of February 7, 1849, and included six denominations: 5 kopeks (standard weight 25.59 g), 3 kopeks (15.36 g), 2 kopeks (10.24 g), 1 kopek (5.12 g), 1 denga (2.56 g), and 1 polushka (1.28 g). In Yekaterinburg the coins were minted through 1867, and in Warsaw through 1864 (on the eve of the abolition of the Warsaw Mint). The mint standard was brought closer to that of the copper coinage of European states, giving the coins an appearance befitting the monetary tokens of a Eurasian empire.
All production was carried out only at the Yekaterinburg Mint (mark EM), which after 1844 was extensively rebuilt and re-equipped following the St. Petersburg model. From 1850 the Warsaw Mint (mark VM) was also involved, having received special permission to issue nationwide copper coinage. The die-making tools for both mints were prepared by the St. Petersburg Mint.
The struck coin was stored in vaults, and only after the required volume had been accumulated, in accordance with the Personal Decree of January 23, 1853, did its gradual introduction into circulation begin. Unprecedentedly, for five years no newly minted coinage entered circulation in the vast empire (the mint at Suzun burned down in 1847, and the Warsaw coinage of 1848 was ephemeral). At the same time, the state, gradually withdrawing coinage of the 24- and 36-ruble standards, moved toward the necessary unification of the coinage in circulation.
1 Kopeck 1849.
SPM (Saint Petersburg Mint).
