Catherine II 2 Kopeks

The 2 Kopeks coins from Catherine II's reign were struck in such vast quantities that they effectively flooded the Russian economy, helping to curb inflation after her 1763 monetary reforms.

These copper pieces, weighing up to 20 grams, featured a simple design: the imperial eagle on one side and the denomination on the other. That bulk wasn't just for show; it made them prone to wear from constant handling in markets and pockets. We know the St. Petersburg mint produced most of them, but exact annual outputs remain murky—records from that era are spotty at best.

One odd detail: the coins' size led some to repurpose them as makeshift tokens for games. As for myths, I've heard tales of them being cursed by disgruntled serfs, but that's just tavern talk. No evidence there.

In my three decades with these, the real intrigue lies in their everyday role, not some romantic nonsense.