Spitsbergen Coins
The monetary history of Spitsbergen is relatively brief but fascinating. This Arctic archipelago, part of the Kingdom of Norway, has undergone significant changes in its monetary system throughout the 20th and early 21st centuries, reflecting its political and economic evolution.
Monetary history of Spitsbergen
Until the early 20th century, Spitsbergen had no official currency of its own. With the 1920 Treaty of Svalbard, which granted sovereignty to Norway, the Norwegian krone was officially introduced as legal tender. However, due to the presence of Russian mining communities, the Soviet ruble also circulated unofficially for much of the 20th century, creating an interesting dual currency system.
Relevant numismatic milestones
One of the most significant milestones in Spitsbergen numismatics was the issuance of private tokens by mining companies in the early 20th century. These tokens, used to pay workers and purchase goods in company stores, are now highly valued collector's items. In addition, in 1946, a unique event occurred when the Soviet State Bank issued special banknotes for exclusive use in its Spitsbergen settlements, creating a numismatic rarity that attracts great interest among collectors.
If you are a passionate collector, this catalog offers the possibility to create your own personal collection. You can add your coins and generate a free PDF catalog from a complete database and our management tools. In addition, once registered, you will have the opportunity to exchange coins with other collectors around the world easily and free of charge.
📢 Spitsbergen is a country that does not exist today. It is now part of the Norway coins.
The most valuable coins
The most valuable Spitsbergen coins and sought after by collectors according to Foronum statistics are the following:
The valuation of these coins has been achieved through a meticulous algorithm that considers the current market, taking into account aspects such as material, weight, diameter, edge, year of mintage, mint of manufacture and the number of coins produced. Coins with limited mintages and in good condition are usually among the most valuable.
Coin Catalog
10 kopeks
15 kopeks
20 kopeks
50 kopeks
50 kopeks
10 roubles
25 roubles
50 roubles
100 roubles
Other resources to find coins and banknotes of Spitsbergen
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