Regrding the article on Steve Bishop's Russian coppers, if we ignore the first coin which I know nothing about, I have to say that the remainder of the pieces were instantly reminiscent of the Aglesey pieces (and other similar British tokens from that period) listed in Dalton & Hamer. The fabric appears to be consistent with products of Boulton's Soho Mint. I'd even have to wonder if the date on the 2nd coin isn't a punching error and should read 1788 as well.

I can't find my copy of Doty's text on the Soho Mint but when I do get around to digging it out, I'll review it to see if Dick ever mentioned Boulton making coins for Russia at that time (or possibly exporting minting machinery, tools, dies, etc. to there).

In time, the Russian Government would indeed begin coining copper coinage at Matthew Boulton's mint, on Matthew Boulton's model. Copper patterns were prepared in 1810, and the first coinage for circulation entered the commerce of the capital later that year.