Reading the 5 Kopecks of Elizabeth Petrovna
1741-1761
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Previously we examined the 5 Kopecks of Catherine the Great. In this article we look at the Copper 5 Kopecks of Elizabeth Petrovna, daughter of Peter the Great. While Reading the Obverse Monogram The Monogram on the Obverse is more complicated than that of Catherine II. The Primary design is formed from two interlocking letters, E (Elizabeth) and P (Petrovna…daughter of Peter). Once interlocked, both letters are then mirrored to give the overall design we see on the coin. The E is fairly obvious to see in the monogram, but the P is more subtle. To help see it we separate the letters out in Figures 2 & 3 below. When interlocked, the body of the P can be seen as a diagonal line that runs though the body of the E. The head of the P however uses the top of the E, a clever trick! |
Fig 1: The 5
Kopecks of 1758-1762

Fig.
2 Obverse E and P

Fig. 3 : Obverse E and P Reflected

Reverse
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Eagle and Denomination
The reverse of these coins shows the Imperial double eagle and denomination (discussed in the Catherine II article). Mint Mark Below the talons of the Eagle we may find a mint mark. For Catherine II, there were 7 possible mintmarks (EM being the most common), as well as an eighth possibility, the very rare no-mintmark 5 Kopecks of 1763 and 1765. For
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1758 |
none |
Common |
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1759 |
none |
Common |
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1760 |
none |
Common |
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1761 |
none |
Common |
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[1762] |
none [posthumous] |
Common |
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1758 |
MM |
Common |
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1759 |
MM |
Scarce |
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1760 |
MM |
Rare |
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1761 |
MM |
Very Rare |
Well, I hope you enjoyed this introduction to Elizabeth Petrovna’s Five
Kopeck coins, and that you found it useful. If you did (or didn't!), or if you
have further questions or comments, please use the Guest Book on the Front
Page, or send me an email at Smoulding(AT)earthlink.net
Article #2 Author: Steve Moulding