Coinage of Russia: from Empire to current Federation

Below is a list of coin show and trade pages.

Normal circulation coins

Russian Empire (...-1917)
Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (1921-1923)
USSR: 1924 series: coins are similar in size and material to those of the Empire. Coins of 1 rouble and 50 kopeks are made of .900 silver, 20, 15 and 10 kopeks of .500 silver, 5, 3, 2, 1, and 1/2 kopeks of bronze. It was the last time a coin of 1/2 kopek was struck. There are 7 ribbons on wreath (this corresponds to the number of republics in the Union).
USSR: Second series: nickel coins of 20 to 10 kopeks (minted in 1931-34) and small bronze coins of 5 to 1 kopek (1926-35). There are 7 ribbons on wreath.
USSR: 1935 series: new appearance of both coin sides. There are still 7 ribbons on wreath.
USSR: 1937 series: according to the Constitution of 1936, the number of the Union Republics became 11. From this time there are 11 ribbons on wreath. The reverse is same as above.
USSR: 1948 series: 5 more Republics have formally entered the Union. There are 16 ribbons on wreath. The reverse is same as above.
USSR: 1957 series: Karelo-Finnish Union Republic created after the Finnish war of 1939 was transformed to the Karel Autonomous Republic, and so the number of the Union Republics became 15. From this time upon the very end of USSR in 1991 there are 15 ribbons on wreath. The reverse is same as above.
In 1958 a quite new type coin set, including 50 kopeks, 1, 2, 3, and 5 roubles coins, was minted but not issued to circulation. These coins are very rare and cost from about $100 to $700.
USSR: 1961 series: after the denomination of 1961, new coin series was issued. Both obverse and reverse has somewhat different appearence, the coins size and metal are the same. Until 1990 there is no mintmark; in 1991, mintmark M (for Moscow mint) and L (for Leningrad mint) appears.
USSR: State Bank series, 1991: fast inflation began in 1991 together with the process of breakup of the USSR. New coins were issued with the legend "USSR State Bank" for the first and last time in history. While 1 rouble was the largest value coin before (except for commemorative coins), this time 5 and 10 roubles coins were issued. The smallest coin is now 10 kopeks; 5, 3, 2, and 1 kopek coins disappear (5 and 1 kopek will appear again in 1997). For the first time, a bimetallic coin were minted (50 and 100 roubles).
Russian Federation: 1992 series: in December 1991, the USSR has broken up, and soon the Russian Federation was proclaimed. New coins of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 roubles were issued. Their appearence has nothing common with earlier issues. 50 and 100 roubles coins are bimetallic.
Russian Federation: 1993 series: coins of 10 and 20 roubles minted in 1993 are very similar to those of 1992; 50 and 100 roubles coins are quite different (not bimetallic). Coins of 1 and 5 roubles would be of no value in 1993 (though they were of some value in 1992) and were not minted in 1993.
Russian Federation: 1997 series: since the 1st of January, 1998, a denomination 1:1000 was performed, and new coins of 1, 5, 10, 50 kopeks and 1, 2, and 5 roubles dated by 1997 were issued. Thus, 1 kopek 1997 is equal to 10 roubles in coins or banknotes of earlier issues, 1 rouble 1997 to 1000 old roubles. Kopeks bear the figure of St. George who is a symbol of Russia and was present on the very first Russian coins many centuries ago. These coins are the only coins circulating now in Russia.

Other countries | Grigori's main coin page