YOU ARE BIDDING ON 1725 (circa 1870) RUSSIA CATHERINE I COPPER PLATE MONEY RUBLE

Ekaterinburg Mint. cf. Bit-391 (for prototype). A later example likely produced in the 19th Century for collector's looking an example of this elusive type.  Copy made for the All Russia Industrial Fair held in St. Petersburg, 1870.  About 170 x 172mm. Imperial eagle within a circle stamped in each corner, four-line legend including date within circle at the center. Just before his death, Peter I (the Great), inspired by Sweden's usage of copper plate money, decided to produce plate money at Ekaterinburg, site of Russia's copper mines. His widow, Catherine I and successor carried out the experiment. But because of production problems, Russia's flirtation with copper plate money ended in 1727. Only three original Rubles (originals weigh ca. 1,600 grams) are known, one of which with a five-line inscription at the upper edge.