This lot features a highly sought-after silver 50 Kopecks coin minted in 1897 under the reign of the last Emperor of Russia, Nicholas II. Important Mint Variant Details: Unlike the standard domestic issues minted in St. Petersburg, this specific coin was struck under contract at the Paris Mint (Monnaie de Paris) to help meet the massive demand of the Russian monetary reform. It is definitively identified by the incised single star (★) on its smooth edge. This scarce foreign-struck variant carries a distinct premium among collectors of Imperial Russian numismatics. • Country: Russian Empire • Denomination: 50 Kopecks (50 Копѣекъ) • Year: 1897 • Monarch: Nicholas II (Николай II) • Mint: Paris Mint (Monnaie de Paris) • Variant: One Star (★) on the edge • Composition: Silver .900 • Weight: 10.00 g • Diameter: 26.75 mm • Obverse Design: A sharp left-facing profile portrait of Emperor Nicholas II, surrounded by the traditional Cyrillic title inscription: "Б.М.НИКОЛАЙ II ИМПЕРАТОРЪ И САМОДЕРЖЕЦЪ ВСЕРОСС." (By the Grace of God, Nicholas II Emperor and Autocrat of All Russia). • Reverse Design: The Imperial crowned Double-Headed Russian Eagle holding a scepter and orb, featuring provincial coats of arms across its wings. Inscribed below is the denomination and year: "50 КОПѢЕКЪ 1897 Г." • Edge Inscription: Smooth edge featuring incised text outlining the pure silver content: "ЧИСТАГО СЕРЕБРА 2 ЗОЛОТНИКА 10,5 ДОЛЕЙ" followed by the crucial Paris Mint mark consisting of a single star (★) instead of the standard Cyrillic mint master initials. Condition • Grade: Very Fine (VF). • Details: The coin is beautifully preserved with prominent design elements remaining intact on both the Imperial eagle's plumage and the Emperor's beard details. It features typical light handling marks and surface wear consistent with honest, historic circulation, presenting an appealing natural silver tone with zero signs of aggressive cleaning. Please review the detailed high-resolution photographs—especially the edge close-up—to form your own precise assessment of the coin's grade before bidding.