Unique Mule error coin created with two reverse dies.
A very unique Russian Mule error coin. This Mule coin was made with a 10 Ruble reverse die and a 2 Ruble reverse die.
I typically surf about a half dozen or more auctions houses a day in search of some dramatic error coins that will turn heads. When I seen this Russian mule error coin, I simply shook my head and laughed. The internet has a wide selection of Russian Mule error coins, but they typically have a obverse muled with an incorrect reverse.
This Russian mule error coin has two different reverse die denominations. The only other mule error coin like this that I was able to find in a 4 month span was a mule error coin with two 5 Ruble reverses. I decided to purchase this Russia mule coin because of the widely different reverse denominations as well as the relatively high grade of MS66.
It is very difficult to get a solid value of this Russian Mule coin. I have researched several auction houses and I see other modern day mule coins that are some what similar to this mule coin, with the starting bid just over $500.00 USD.
I do not see a lot of documentation on how the Russian Mint presses are set up and what quality controls they have in place to help prevent these sort of mule coins.
Let’s do some attribution on this Russian mule coin.
First, lets look at what a correct Russian 2 Rubles coin produced at the Russian Mint looks like:
This Russian 2 Ruble was made from 2016 to 2020. It was made of Nickel plated steel. The weight of the coin is 5 grams and the 2 Russian Ruble coin has a 23mm diameter. It is a standard circulated coin. This Russian 2 Rubles is 1.8mm thick.
Now, Lets look at the normal Russian 10 Ruble coin produced by the Russian Mint:
This Russian 10 Rubles was made from 2016 to 2020. It was made of Brass plated steel. The weight of the coin is 5.63 grams and this 10 Russian Ruble coin has a 22mm diameter. It is a standard circulated coin. This Russian 10 Rubles is 2.2mm thick.
The Russian 2 Ruble Reverse Muled with a 10 Ruble Reverse
The reason NGC calls this Russian Mule coin ” (2016-2019) Russia 2R Muled with 10R Reverse” is due to the type of planchet that the mule coin was struck on. It appears that the planchet that was used is of Nickel plated steel. I tested the coin to see if it was magnetic, and it is. So, NGC used the logic that the correct reverse die, and a correct planchet for the Russian 2 Rubles was muled with an incorrect 10 Rubles reverse die.
The diameters of the two reverse dies are really close in size, only 1mm difference. The normal 10 Ruble coin is 2.2 mm thick opposed to the 2 Ruble coin which is 1.8mm thick. The weight of the coin should not matter in this case, only to prove that the planchet that was used is of the correct weight. With this coin already authenticated and slabbed by NGC, we can only assume they did weigh the mule coin and the weight was within tolerance.
The two “normal” Russian Ruble coins were made from 2016 to 2020. The Label on the NGC slab states the years as 2016 to 2019 which tells me that this coin must have been slabbed in 2019 before the Russian Mint was able to produce any of the 2 Ruble or 10 Ruble coins.
I am trying to find out the population numbers for this coin. I have not found another like it. I did however spot a semi-uncommon 2017-M 2 Ruble obverse muled with a 10 Ruble reverse. That coin sold for just over $201.00 USD.
Do you have any information on this rare Russian mule coin? Feel free to let me know.
Not a big fan of Mule error coins? Take a look at our major mint error coins called Die Caps: Die Cap Major Mint Error Coins (minterrors.org)
Looking for “normal” coins? Please see Shop – US Coins, Silver Bullion and Numismatic products and services – TheCoinStore.org