Peter I 1 Kopek

These 1 kopek coins from Peter I's reign were struck from nearly pure copper, often weighing around 16 grams apiece—enough to make your pocket sag if you carried a handful.

That bulk came from the mint's need to produce coins that matched the metal's intrinsic value, a nod to Peter’s push for a more reliable currency amid his wars and reforms. The Moscow Mint hammered them out using basic dies, resulting in irregular edges and variable sizes that reflected the era's rudimentary technology. While records are spotty—much burned in the 1812 fire—we know production ramped up after 1704 to support trade.

Some specimens show faint hammer marks from the striking process, a testament to the labor involved. It's no wonder collectors overlook the myths; the coins speak for themselves. As for me, after three decades, I've seen enough to know they won't fetch a king's ransom.