1993 25 Ruble Proof 5 oz .999 Silver Coin - Russian Ballet - Bolshoi Theater

Description

Wow!  Check out this super large 5 oz. Silver hockey puck - 25 Ruble face value coin!  Issued in 1993 to celebrate the Bolshoi Theater and Russian Ballet, this is a dramatic proof coin, issued as a legal tender bullion coin by the Bank of Russia (the Central Bank of the Russian Federation -- issues all coins and paper money in the Russian Federation).  Contains 5 oz. of .999 silver!  The obverse side (the side with the ballet dancers) features a male and female ballet dancer and the inscription, in Russian, says "Russian Ballet."  The reverse features a portrait of the facade of the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow with the double-headed Russian Eagle below.  The center inscription says "Bolshoi Theater," while the inscription around the edge of the coin reads "25 Rubles, 1993" above and "Bank of Russia" below.  The reverse side also has, in tiny print, the phrases "Ag 999" and "155,5," which mean that the coin is silver (Ag) and .999 Fine with a fine metal content of 155.5 grams (Krause states that this coin contains 5.0116 oz. of Actual Silver Weight).  Mintage of these coins was limited to 10,000, which is the mintage figure also stated in Krause (I refer, of course, to Krause & Mishler, "Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000.")  The coin has a diameter of 60mm (2.36 inches).  They are big coins and I have included a photo of the coin next to a US quarter for scale.  These coins are increasingly hard to come by, so be sure to pick yours up today while they can still be found!  The coin pictured is the coin you will actually receive.  The coin comes in a plastic capsule with a certificate of authenticity issued by the Bank of Russia which is in both Russian and English.  These are very well minted coins and the artistry is superb.  Take a close look at the pictures!