25 Kopecks - Nikolai I / Aleksandr II

The 25 kopeck denomination was the workhorse of mid-19th century Russian silver coinage, and this long-running type spans two reigns and two very different political atmospheres — from the iron conservatism of Nikolai I's final decades through the early reform period of Aleksandr II. The fineness of .868 reflects Russia's adherence to the zolotnik system of silver measurement, where 83.33 zolotniks per 96 equated to what Western mints would call approximately 868 fine.

Dating individual pieces within this series requires attention to the eagle reverse punch changes and the mint master initials below the eagle, which changed several times across the 26-year production run.