Obverse: The obverse features a left-facing portrait of Emperor Alexander III (reigned 1881–1894). Around the portrait is an inscription in Cyrillic: Б.М. АЛЕКСАНДР III ИМПЕРАТОРЪ И САМОДЕРЖЕЦЪ ВСЕРОССIЙСКIЙ (“By the Grace of God Alexander III, Emperor and Autocrat of All Russia”).
Reverse: The reverse depicts the double-headed eagle – the coat of arms of the Russian Empire. On the eagle’s chest is a shield with St. George, surrounded by nine provincial heraldic shields. The eagle holds the imperial orb and sceptre. At the bottom appears the inscription 50 КОПѢЕКЪ 1894 Г. (“50 Kopecks 1894”).
About the coin: This silver 50 kopecks coin was struck between 1886–1894 at the Saint Petersburg Mint during the reign of Alexander III. The coin weighs 10 g, of which 9 g is pure silver (.900 fineness). The edge bears the inscription: АГ ЧИСТАГО СЕРЕБРА 2 ЗОЛОТНИКА 10.5 ДОЛЕЙ, indicating the silver content according to the old Russian weight system. Today, it is a valuable numismatic piece, especially in higher grades of preservation.
