Platinum coin
Platinum coins are coins, which consist mostly of platinum. They served only in the 19th century in Russia as cash and were Kurantmünzen, ( bullion coin ) are today but only marked for collectors and investors.
History
In the production of coins played platinum in earlier times not matter. It was considered by the Spaniards even as a waste product in the production of gold. They thought it was " unfinished gold". Only in Russia under Tsar Nicholas I (1825-1855) it was used for the expression of normal circulation coins. In the period of 1828-1845 6 and 12 platinum and platinum ruble pieces ducats were 3, embossed, called. The Tsar issued the coin decree ( ukase = adoption ) of 24 April (6 May ) 1828, the occurrence of platinum coins 3 silver rubles ("white ducats "). The pieces should get the size of the silver 25 kopeck coins and, since the specific gravity of platinum is almost twice as high as that of silver, if only because of their weight with these not be confused.
The weight of the coins of 2 Solotniki 41 Doli (1 Solotnik = 4.265 g, 1 Dolej = 0.044 g) is specified on the reverse as well as the words " pure Ural platinum ". The three rubles coins weigh 10.35 grams and therefore one ruble represents 3.45 g of " pure Ural platinum ". Since a silver ruble 18.0 g (4 Solotniki 21 Doli ) contains silver, the ratio has been set at approximately 5.2 to silver to 1 (today is it above 100 to 1). By decree of 30 November (December 12 ) in 1829 was followed by double ducats to six silver rubles and with ukase of 12 ( 24 ) September 1830 four times ducats to 12 silver rubles.
These coins correspond in size to the 50 - kopek and 1 ruble silver coins. The platinum coins were initially however not be used in foreign trade. And when they were unpopular with the public because of their inconspicuous color (they were Serinkie, " Grauchen "), and the export ban was lifted in 1830. From trading to the east, the platinum coins all came back to Russia, since you could start in the tea exporting countries with the metal anything.
Only the peasants in the countryside custody of their savings like in the form of platinum rubles under the stove. After a fire in the farmhouse, the coins were recovered from the ashes unharmed because of the high melting point. Since virtually the entire Russian platinum production was vermünzt, ministered in Europe, the platinum coins as a source of this metal. In March 1845, the further export of platinum coins was prohibited and the re-entry only allowed for four months. In June 1845 it was announced that no more platinum coins were coined which would still circulating on as a substitute only in the next six months for gold and silver coins or deposit certificates. The total circulation totaled about 1.4 million coins. The Russian platinum coins were, like all early platinum products manufactured by sintering yet, since platinum has such a high melting point.
The Russian ruble were de facto the only platinum coins that a state has ever spent as a regular circulation coin. All other known platinum coins and medals are given for collectors or investment purposes, even if they are valid means of payment of the issue in countries. Today special coins to eg 150 rubles from Russia and especially Bullion coins from platinum are marked occasionally still. Examples are the Platinum Eagle from the U.S., the Platinum Maple Leaf from Canada, the platinum Koala from Australia or the platinum Noble from the Isle of Man. So-called novoděl -issues could be made until 1890 in the St. Petersburg mint as Copies of original punches on request for collectors. More platinum imprints are medals, modern haircuts platinum coins for collectors, and sample coins.
Counterfeit Coins on platinum based
A very interesting and largely unknown aspect are contemporary forgeries of valid gold coins in the 18th and 19th centuries. Since platinum is indeed similar to the gold by weight, but the price was much cheaper (early 18th century only 1/ 5 of the price of gold ), it was highly suitable for fakes.
A core made of a copper - platinum alloy or a platinum core was simply coated with a thin layer of gold. On the nature, the density and weight of the fake gold coins could be almost exactly reached. Mainly these forgeries were made by the staff of the mints in order to enrich themselves at the emerging gold income. The gold-plated platinum pieces were then placed on the market together with the regular gold coins of the same type.
In 1758, for example, forbade the Spanish Royal House by decree the platinum trade. To prevent smuggling and counterfeiting, the supposedly " worthless " metal should even be sunk in the sea easily. Especially Spanish coins and French Louis d'or fell victim to the contemporary forgers, but also English and Mexican coins. With the rapid increase in the platinum price, and exceeding the price of gold but platinum has become increasingly uninteresting as counterfeit material in the last quarter of the 19th century.