3 Kopek 1903

Russian Empire example in red Unc. Others of this series w/o mintmark were struck in Petrograd. Mintage of this one is 11.4 M.
In Russia, the double-headed eagle is one of the nation’s most prominent national symbols, although there are several theories behind the meaning of this unusual creature. Some historians theorize that in 1497, when Ivan III borrowed the idea of the two-headed eagle from the Byzantines, he wanted to associate himself with the power of the fallen empire. From then on, the double-headed eagle was often employed by the monarchy and frequently featured on coronation regalia. However, since the two heads face different directions, it’s widely believed that the double-headed eagle represents the geographical position of Russia, as it spans from the Baltic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west.
For a great review of Russian coins from Rus through the Revolution see the Library at:
Russian Coins - 1000 Years: http://snk.to/f-chnsol03