Soviet 1972 1 Kopek

The 1972 Soviet 1 kopek coin was struck from aluminum at the Leningrad Mint, a shift that conserved copper amid the era's industrial demands.

That material choice made it lightweight, almost feather-like in your palm, which was practical for a coin worth less than a fraction of a cent. The obverse featured the Soviet state emblem, a hammer and sickle encircled by sheaves of wheat, while the reverse simply stated the denomination. Brezhnev's leadership meant these coins circulated widely in a planned economy, though exact mintage figures are murky—Soviet records weren't always meticulous.

We don't know the precise number produced that year, as archives from the period are incomplete. Still, handling one today reminds you how everyday currency reflected the regime's priorities.

If you're expecting rarity, think again; these turn up in collections more often than not.