Russian Ballerina Palladium Coins

Disclosure: Our content does not constitute financial advice. Speak to your financial advisor. We may earn money from companies reviewed.  Learn more

One of the most popular and unique palladium coins available to investors is the Russian Ballerina Palladium coin, sometimes simply known as palladium ballerina coins. These coins have a unique cultural, historical, and investment value, and you can learn everything you need to know about them right here.

Development, Introduction and History

The Russian Palladium Ballerina coins have a brief, yet intriguing history. Early Soviet leaders had gone to great effort to distinguish pre-USSR Russian history from Soviet history, yet in the final years before the fall of communist power there were some symbolic gestures made to rekindle a sense of Russian pride. The Palladium Ballerinas were initially introduced as a way for the Soviet Union to honor the cultural significance of the ballet.

Palladium was chosen as the metal of choice because Russia is home to the largest palladium mines in the world; more than 40 percent of global palladium production is done in Russia (the exact amount is unknown, as modern Russian governments seek to keep their total supply a secret). The coins were products of the Moscow Mint and only ran between 1989 through 1995. The Soviet Union was struggling in 1989; the former world superpower was experiencing major economic problems and pressure to reform its government.

The state finally collapsed in 1991, but the production of Palladium Ballerinas continued for another four years. After production stopped in 1995, demand for these limited offerings increased – partially for the novelty of owning a piece of a fallen empire.

Given that palladium prices are currently slumping after recent all-time highs, many investors are now regaining interest in these rare collectors coins in anticipation of a demand resurgence in 2023 and beyond. By some accounts, palladium prices are expected to rise above $5,000 per troy ounce by next decade.

Russian Palladium Ballerina Physical Characteristics

Coin Design

Both the 25-ruble and 10-ruble Russian Palladium Ballerina depict a dancing ballerina on their front (“obverse”) side. The ballet holds a cultural significance in Russia, a country well-known for its ballet composers, choreographers and dancers. While each yearly issue of the Palladium Ballerina has its own distinct ballerina image, the dancer is always playing the role of Odette from Swan Lake. The back (“reverse”) of the Russian Palladium Ballerina will carry the picture of the symbol of the former Soviet Union. This is true for all editions of Palladium Ballerinas, even though the minting of these coins continued after the collapse of the USSR. Underneath the “Hammer and Sickle” will appear the face value of the coin and its year of mintage.

Specifications

Only three weight denominations of Russian Ballerina Palladium coins were ever produced, and only two in large numbers: 1 troy oz. and ½ troy oz.

Russian Palladium Ballerina Pricing

Each Russian Palladium Ballerina coin carries a face value, or the transactional value of the currency within Russia (denominated in rubles). This face value was set by the former Soviet Union and then the Russian government. While technically legal tender, these values are largely symbolic; the actual value of a Palladium Ballerina is typically far greater than the minted face value. The face value is completely separate from the market value or a bullion coin. For Palladium Ballerinas, the market value is primarily determined by the spot price of palladium on the market. However, due to the very low levels of production and limited number of palladium alternatives, the Russian Ballerina can, at times, trade at a significant premium over the value of its palladium content. The spot price for palladium fluctuates daily, so the market price of Russian Palladium Ballerinas will fluctuate daily also. You can check out our home page for live metals pricing.

Adding Russian Ballerina Palladium Coins to an IRA

All Russian Palladium Ballerinas are eligible to be placed inside of a self-directed IRA. By placing real, physical palladium inside of an IRA, investors add diversification to their portfolio that is independent of the fluctuations of stocks and bond. Palladium is a more scarce metal than gold, silver or platinum. In fact, it is one of the 10 least occurring elements on the surface of the earth! It’s rarity helps provide real value to investors everywhere. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) allows specific types of IRAs to carry gold, silver, platinum and palladium bullion inside of a portfolio. Sometimes referred to as a “precious metals IRA”, only IRS-approved bullion (such as the Russian Ballerina Palladium coin) can be added to these investment vehicles. Investors must make a minimum initial purchase of $5,000 of approved metals in order to establish a precious metals IRA. Each subsequent purchase must be at least $1,000. Additionally, any purchase of investment bullion for an IRA is required to be transferred to and held inside of an approved precious metals depository. These depositories are responsible for the safety and maintenance of the metals until a distribution is made. To be IRS-approved, bullion coins and bars must meet minimum purity requirements. Each Palladium Ballerina coin is guaranteed to be .999 platinum fineness.   Those with existing IRAs do have the option of transferring or rolling over funds into a precious metals IRA. Russian Palladium Ballerinas are no longer in production and cannot be purchased directly from source. In fact, it can be difficult to locate Palladium Ballerinas, though it is possible to find them through reputable dealers and distributors.

Sign up to learn more. It's free!

If you're worried about the economy and want to learn tips on how to protect your retirement savings in case of another systemic collapse, sign up to our monthly newsletter now for free! We cover topics such as: precious metals investing, inflation, currency devaluation, national debt, the Fed's financial policies, world politics, and much more. Join now and we'll send you a free PDF report entitled “5 scams to avoid when investing in bullion gold & silver”