Russian 5 Roubles 2005

This 2005 Russian 5 Roubles coin commemorates the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II, a nod to the Soviet role in that conflict that's often overlooked outside Russia.

It's struck in .925 silver, weighing about 5.41 grams, with a diameter of 25 millimeters. The obverse bears the double-headed eagle of the Russian Federation, while the reverse features a soldier and a dove, symbols drawn from the era's propaganda. Mintage figures aren't precisely recorded, but estimates suggest several thousand were produced for circulation and collectors.

Design-wise, it's a straightforward piece from the Moscow Mint, part of a series that includes other historical themes. Some variants exist with minor edge variations, which can trip up the unwary.

If you handle one, note the sharp relief; it wears quickly in circulation. Collectors might quibble over its value, but that's their affair.