My Journey Building the ddddd ex-Soviet Nations Set – A Numismatic Adventure

I’ve always loved how coins tell unique stories, and a few years back I took on a personal mission: building a set focused on ex-Soviet nations. It started when Kazakhstan’s bimetallic space coins caught my eye—they reminded me of Austria’s silver-niobium issues—and soon I was hunting for one silver coin from each of the fifteen former Soviet republics. My rules were simple but firm: post-1991 independence era, silver composition, and professionally graded. As the collection grew, I branched out to include coins from historically linked regions and even disputed territories, where I bent the rules a little. What a ride it’s been—tracking down rarities, overcoming sourcing headaches, and learning lessons I’m eager to pass on to fellow collectors.

The Core Fifteen Republics

My goal was one graded silver piece per republic, prioritizing designs that reflect each nation’s spirit. Here’s where my hunt stands, with the details collectors care about—mintage, grading, and mint origins:

• Armenia: 1000 Dram (2007), Flora and Fauna theme, PCGS PR 69 DCAM. Only 500 minted—a knockout with its fine details.
• Azerbaijan: 5 Manat (2015), Wrestling theme, NGC PF 70 UCAM. Mintage ~1,000, struck at the Royal Mint.
• Belarus: 20 Roubles (2014), Legend of the Bullfinch, PCGS PR 70 DCAM. 2,000 minted, with fantastic visual pop.
• Estonia: 25 krooni (2010), History of Estonia, PCGS PR 70 DCAM. Higher mintage (15,000) but still a beauty.
• Georgia: 5 Lari (2019), Postage Stamp centennial. Unusual rectangle shape (33x27mm), just 1,500 made—always gets comments.
• Kazakhstan: 500 Tenge (2013), Heritage theme, PCGS PR 70 DCAM. My top pick—the gilded proof and apple motif shine.
• Kyrgyzstan: 10 Som (2017), Kyrgyz Khaganate, NGC PF 69 UCAM. Mintage 1,000; that warrior design hooked me.
• Latvia: 1 Lats (2004), Coin of Time. Silver-niobium combo, 5,000 minted—tough but worth it.
• Lithuania: Still searching for the right graded piece. Good things come to those who wait!
• Moldova: 50 Lei (2012), Red Book animals. Tiny 30mm, 1,000 minted.
• Russia: 3 Roubles (2010), Year of the Tiger, PCGS PR 70 DCAM. Part of their Lunar series—packed with cultural flair.
• Tajikistan: 5 Somoni (2010), EurAsEC anniversary, NGC PF 67 UCAM. 2,000 minted; bargain if you catch auctions right.
• Turkmenistan: 20 Manat (2011), Independence anniversary. Just 22mm and 300 minted—elusive and pricey now.
• Ukraine: 10 Hryven (2013), Ukrainian Heritage. Ungraded but gorgeous; grabbed it from mint reps at an ANA show.
• Uzbekistan: Still hunting. Saw a PCGS-graded piece at $115, hesitated—now it’s $500! Never snooze at auction.

Add-ons: Beyond the Republics

Once the core set took shape, I added coins from Soviet-influenced regions like Afghanistan and Mongolia. Here, I valued striking designs over strict grading—they’re easier to find and add layers to the story:

• Afghanistan: 500 Afghanis (1995), UN anniversary, PCGS PR 69 DCAM. Mintage ~100,000—perfect for history lovers.
• Mongolia: 500 Togrog (2021), Wild Mongolia theme, PCGS PR 69 DCAM. 2,500 minted; that wolf design rivals top US releases.

Disputed Territories: A Fragile Frontier

I couldn’t resist including unofficial issues from contested areas—here, I dropped the silver and grading rules. They’re fascinating but tricky to source:

• Transnistria: 1 Ruble (2020), European wildcat. Steel with nickel plating, 50,000 minted—semi-official and locally used.
• Gagauzia: 10 Para (2018). Aluminum, 24mm—mintage unknown.
• Nagorno-Karabakh: 1 Dram (2004), Cheetah theme. Aluminum fantasy piece, 21.7mm.
• South Ossetia: 2 Rubles (2013). Bimetallic, 28mm—another unique fantasy coin.
• Kurdistan: 10 Dinars (2003). Copper-nickel, mintage 4,700-10,000—adds context but authentication is tough.

Collecting Insights and Practical Tips

This project taught me plenty. Prioritize eye appeal and cultural weight—coins like Kazakhstan’s apple or Ukraine’s heritage series feel more special than generic silver. For grading, PCGS or NGC in PR/PF 69-70 is ideal, but flexibility helps with rarities. Watch pricing: I’ve scored eBay deals by stalking no-reserve auctions and pouncing on “Buy It Now” listings during seller clearouts. Great Collections is another good spot. Don’t overpay for hyped coins (looking at you, Turkmenistan!); waiting often works. And hit coin shows—that’s how I landed my Ukraine piece fairly.

Personal Highlights and Final Thoughts

My crown jewels? Kazakhstan’s apple coin for its gilded beauty and Kyrgyzstan’s warrior design—both outclass many modern US coins. Discovering Armenia’s grape theme alongside Kazakhstan’s apple was a sweet accident! These aren’t just assets; they’re snapshots of post-Soviet identity, with mintages under 5,000 making them scarce treasures. Starting a similar set? Try easier finds like Russia or Estonia first, then tackle the tough ones. It’s a journey blending history, art, and the adrenaline of the hunt. Happy collecting!