Rouble
The rouble is one of the most important and traditional currencies in Eastern Europe and plays a central role in numismatics. As Russia’s official currency, the rouble looks back on a centuries-long history dating back to the 13th century. Originally, the rouble was not a coin in its own right, but a unit of weight for silver, understood as a ‘cut piece’ of a so-called ‘grivna’ – a silver bar. This pragmatic origin of the name (“rubli” from the Russian rubit’ = ‘to cut off’) reflects the practical handling of precious metals in medieval Russia.
It was not until the late 17th century that the rouble was officially introduced as a minted silver coin and thus transferred to a modern coinage system. Under the reign of Tsar Peter the Great, the first rouble was introduced in 1704 as a standard silver coin weighing approximately 28
grams. This reform was a significant step towards modernising Russian financial administration and led to the creation of a decimal coinage system that established a base of 100 kopecks per rouble – a structure that remains in place to this day.
Over the centuries, the rouble underwent numerous changes in terms of material, design and political symbolism. During the Tsarist era, rouble coins were made of silver or gold and often bore the Russian imperial coat of arms, the double-headed eagle, and the portrait of the reigning monarch. In the Soviet Union, the rouble was redefined in the 1920s as the currency of a socialist state, minted with hammer and sickle symbols and Soviet iconography. This era also brought significant changes in coin minting: roubles were mainly minted from base metals such as copper-nickel, and the motifs reflected political and social ideals.
Even after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the rouble remained the national currency. The Russian rouble (RUB) has existed in its modern form since 1991 and is now issued in both coins and banknotes. Today’s rouble coinage is based on national symbols such as the two-headed eagle of the Central Bank and architectural or cultural landmarks of Russia.
The rouble is a fascinating area of collecting for numismatists, as it not only spans a long period of time, but also reflects Russia’s political upheavals and economic developments. From the Tsar’s rouble to the Soviet rouble and today’s rouble, this currency offers a unique variety of coinages, stamps and motifs. Rare rouble coins made of gold or silver, anniversary coinages, misprints or historically significant vintages, which are often associated with significant events in Russian history, are particularly sought after.
The rouble is therefore much more than just a currency – it is an important testimony to Russian history, politics and culture. In a numismatic context, it offers a deep insight into the development of a country and its identity, minted in metal and preserved for future generations of collectors and historians.