One of the most unusual items I have found in a long time! So tactile & visually appealing!
I believe this was originally a silver plated or base metal one pint tankard but this has not been tested so could have a silver content although it is apparently unmarked. I then think the tankard was converted to a jug with the addition of the spout and after the coins were attached the complete jug was then silver plated.
At some time there have been 73 ancient Russian copper coins attached to the tankard by way of rivets rather than glue with the rivet heads visible internally. Whoever has carried out this work appears to have been very professional as not one of the 73 applied coins have been lost over the years and none are loose.
I have no idea why the coins have been applied in this way but perhaps the tankard was some sort of drinking or shooting trophy. As all the coins are Russian in origin I am assuming it originated in Russia but I cannot be certain.
The oldest coin I have found dates to 1734 with many more from the 1700s and the rest from the 1800s. The latest dated coin I have found is dated 1844.
Weight: 689.5 gm. Height: 130 mm. Diameter of rim: 70 mm.
Summary: As can be seen from the photos this is a rare & unusual item worthy of further research but a real talking point. Good luck!