2 Kopecks Occupation Coinage

発行体 Ober Ost
年号 1916
種類 Standard circulation coin
額面 2 Kopecks (0.02)
通貨 Ostrubel
材質 Iron
重量 5.8 g
直径 24 mm
厚さ
形状 Round
製造技法 Milled
向き Medal alignment ↑↑
彫刻師
流通終了年
参考文献 KM#22, Schön#2, ParM#2
表面の説明 The legend `Region of the commander-in-chief - East` appears between some oak leaves.
表面の文字体系 Latin
表面の銘文 GEBIET DES OBERBEFEHLSHABERS OST A
(Translation: Region of the commander-in-chief - East)
裏面の説明 Denomination and date within German Cross
裏面の文字体系 Cyrillic
裏面の銘文 2 КОПѢЙКИ 1916
(Translation: 2 Kopecks)
Smooth
鋳造所 A
Berlin, Germany (1280-date)
J
Hamburgische Münze, Germany(801-date)
鋳造数 1916 A - - 6 972 574
1916 J - - 8 017 000
Numisquare ID 3399704030
追加情報

Historical Context: Issued by Ober Ost, the German military administration governing occupied territories on the Eastern Front during World War I, this 1916 2 Kopecks coin represents a critical facet of wartime economic control. With Russian currency invalid, Ober Ost established its own monetary system, stabilizing the economy and asserting German authority. These occupation coins were essential for daily transactions in areas including parts of modern-day Lithuania, Latvia, and Belarus, reflecting the temporary but firm German presence in these occupied territories.

Artistry: The 2 Kopecks design is characterized by utilitarian simplicity, reflecting wartime necessity rather than elaborate artistic ambition. While no specific engraver is typically attributed, the stylistic school aligns with functional German imperial design, adapted for wartime production. The obverse prominently features a simplified Imperial German eagle, symbolizing the issuer, encircled by "DEUTSCHES REICH". The reverse clearly displays the denomination "2 KOPECK" and the year "1916", with "OST" below, denoting its specific circulation.

Technical/Grading: Struck in iron, a strategic wartime metal, this coin exhibits specific technical characteristics. High-points for wear include the eagle's head and breast on the obverse, and the numerals and raised border on the reverse. Due to the hardness of iron and rushed wartime production, strikes can frequently be weak or uneven, leading to soft eagle details and incomplete lettering. Planchet quality can vary, with instances of lamination or minor flan flaws common. Corrosion also significantly impacts preservation and grading.

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