1916 AD., Russia, German occupation, 3 Kopeks, Berlin mint, KM 23.

Russia, German occupation, Berlin mint (A), 1916 AD.,
3 Kopeks (ø 27,5 mm / 8,50 g), steel (magnetic), 8,70 g. theor. mint weight, mintage 8.670.000 , axes medal alignment ↑↑ (0°), plain edge,
Obv.: GEBIET / DES / OBERBEFEHLSHABERS / OST / A , between four oak branches.
Rev.: 3 / КОПѢЙКИ / 1916 , on a German "iron cross".
KM 23 ; Jaeger 603 .

Year / Mint Mark / Mintage
1916 / A / 8.670.000 (Berlin mint)
1916 / J / 7.903.000 (Hamburg mint)

Issued during the First World War by the German army in order to be used in Estonia, Poland and North-West Russia. These regions were, in those days, occupied by Germany. During the First World War Germany invaded Russia and occupied large areas in western parts of the Empire. Poland was lost in 1915. For the occupied lands german military authors issued these coins and some banknotes. Coins, made in Berlin (A) and Hamburg (J), are made of iron and they depict a German iron cross with nominal value and date on the reverse, and on the obverse is the legend: "GEBIET DES OBERBEFEHLSHABERS OST", meaning "the area of the commander in chief of the east", who was Hindenburg.