Russian Empire, Alexander III, 25 Kopecks 1886

Alexander III (1881-1894) was the first tsar in the 19th century to have his portrait stamped on coins. Since 1796, there had been no Russian money representing the image of the sovereigns. But on the occasion of his coronation in 1883 (which in Russia often took place some time after a tsar's ascension to the throne), Alexander issued a ruble with his portrait. Three years later, the tsar's image was put on all Russian silver coins again: the ruble, the poltina (1/2 ruble), and the piece at 25 kopecks. This was retained until 1915, two years before the collapse of the Tsarist Empire.