The 1876 poltina announces its own silver content: the eagle side is struck with «ЧИСТАГО СЕРЕБРА 2 ЗОЛОТНИКА 10 1/2 ДОЛЕЙ».

These figures use the old Russian system of measures. A zolotnik fineness of 83⅓ means 83⅓ parts pure silver out of 96, or 868 thousandths, and 2 zolotniks 10½ dolyas is about 9 grams of pure metal in a coin weighing 10.37 grams. The other side bears the word «ПОЛТИНА», the date and the Saint Petersburg Mint mark «С.П.Б.».

The type was struck from 1859 to 1885, under Alexander II and Alexander III. 1876 is one of the modest dates: about 24,000 pieces, mostly with the mintmaster’s initials «НІ»; a variety without initials is also known. In 1877 the poltina mintage already exceeded a million, at 1,034,003 coins.

In a date run of Alexander II poltinas, 1876 is noticeably harder than the neighbouring 1877: the mintages differ by more than forty times.

G-VG grade: the coin circulated for a long time and the relief is smoothed, yet the outline of the eagle, the denomination and the main inscriptions are legible. Such an example is valued above all for its date, a scarce entry in the run of poltinas from the era of the Great Reforms.

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