Description of paper currency
Russian emperors' paper money was very diverse, ranging from state bank notes, state credit bills, State Treasury bills, Treasury banknotes, short-term liabilities of State Treasury.
1910 banknote of 100 rubles
Description of coins
Along with paper money, gold, silver and copper coins were also circulated, with billon (low-grade silver) coins entering circulation later.
In 1828 through 1845, for the first time ever, 3, 6 and 12-rouble platinum coins were minted. As a result of reforms, gold monometallism-based paper money and coin systems were optimized to become one of the most advanced ones in the world. Among the most interesting ones are 1 and 1,5-rouble commemorative silver coins, timed to most important events in the Russian Empire.
Copper coins had face values of 1/4, 1/2, 1, 2, 3 and 5 copecks; billon coins - 5, 10, 15 and 20 copecks; silver coins - 25, 50 copecks and 1, 1,5 rubles; gold ones – with a face value of 3, 5 rubles, 7 rubles 50 copecks, 10 and 15 rubles.
Reverses of Russian Empire copper coins
Reverses of Russian Empire billon coins
Obverse of Nicholas II silver coin
Unusual gift coins – gold coins with a face value of 25 rubles, 37 rubles 50 copecks are of special interest.
After the February Revolution of 1917, the currency of Russia's provisional government entered into circulation. Only paper currency was used at the time, with no coins minted.
Russian Provisional Government’s Kerensky coins
The material was prepared in cooperation with Gevorg Mughalyan, the numismatist of the Central Bank of Armenia.