Germany 1, 2, and 3 Kopeks (Ober Ost) 1916

Hello Spencer -- You have an interesting item. The KOIIbHKN word at the center of coin is the Russian monetary denomination 'kopek.' The Maltese cross and the inscription GEBIET DES OBERBEFEHLSHABERS OST is German for (roughly) 'area of the commander on the eastern front.' So this is Russian occupation money issued during World War I.

These coins were issued in three denominations: 1, 2, and 3 kopeks, and in two metals: iron and silver. Not surprising, the silver issues are more valuable than the iron issues, and the 3 kopek issues (being bigger) are a tad more valuable than the smaller denominations.

We report some rough catalog values here:

IRON
worn: $10 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $30
well preserved: $100
fully uncirculated: $400

SILVER
worn: $80 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $200
well preserved: $500
fully uncirculated: $5000

The coin in our picture is an almost-flawless iron version from Emporium Hamburg in Hamburg, Germany. It sold for 360 euros (about $475 US dollars) in a 2012 auction.
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