Khodynka Cup of Sorrows Value Guide

The Khodynka Cup of Sorrows is a hauntingly significant enameled tin beaker produced for the 1896 coronation of Tsar Nicholas II. It remains a somber collectible because it was the catalyst for a stampede at Khodynka Field that claimed over 1,300 lives, an event widely regarded as a dark omen for the Romanov dynasty.

What affects the value of Khodynka Cup of Sorrows?

• Condition of the enamel, as pieces without significant rusting or large chips command the highest prices.
• Clarity of the gilded elements and the sharpness of the Imperial stampings.
• Historical provenance or documentation linking the specific cup to the 1896 coronation event.
• Overall structural integrity, specifically the absence of dents in the tin base.

How to Identify Khodynka Cup of Sorrows?

• Look for the interlaced cyphers of Nicholas II and Alexandra Feodorovna on the front face.
• Verify the presence of the Russian Imperial Double-Headed Eagle on the reverse side.
• Check for the distinctive blue, red, and white geometric enamel patterns surrounding the central motifs.
• Confirm the material is enameled tin, which often shows minor chipping or 'flea bites' at the rim due to age.

History of Khodynka Cup of Sorrows

Commonly known as the Cup of Sorrows, these beakers were intended as gifts for the public during the coronation festivities in 1896. A stampede occurred at Khodynka Field when crowds rushed to claim the free souvenirs and food, resulting in over 1,300 deaths. The tragedy was seen as a dark omen for the reign of Nicholas II, the last Emperor of Russia.