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How Has Russian Money Changed?

15:46 GMT, 9 January 2023
On January 9, 1769, Catherine the Great issued a manifesto that transferred the economy of the Russian Empire to paper money instead of copper coins. It was a huge step forward.
Sputnik
The Empress commanded that two banks responsible for the emission of paper money be created. The problem with copper money was its ineffectiveness. First of all, it was heavy – to deliver 1,000 rubles, merchants needed at least two carts. Secondly, it was difficult to calculate and mistakes were often made. The transfer to paper money moved the economy of Russian Empire forward greatly.
Let's take a glimpse at the evolution of Russian paper money through the ages in a Sputnik gallery.
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A Russian banknote of 25 rubles in 1769.

© Photo : Public domain/Bank of the Russian Empire
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Paper money of 1798 in the denomination of ten rubles. Reproduction

© Sputnik / Oleg Lastochkin
3 / 17

A Russian banknote in denominations of ten rubles from 1819.

© Photo : Public domain/Assignation Bank of Russia
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A Russian banknote of ten rubles from 1854.

© Photo : Public domain/Credit Ticket Expedition
5 / 17

A Russian banknote of one ruble in 1898.

© Photo : Public domain/The State Bank of the Russian Empire
6 / 17

A banknote of the Russian Empire worth 100 rubles from 1910.

© Photo : Public domain/Bank of Russian Empire
7 / 17

Stamp money of Russia, 1915.

© Photo : Public domain/A. Sdobnikov / Stamp-moneyRussia1915 15k
8 / 17

A banknote of 1,000 rubles, 1917.

© Photo : Public domain/Provisional Government of Russia / 1000 rubles 1917. Obverse
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A banknote in denominations of 20 rubles from 1919.

© Photo : Public domain / 20-rouble note of Russia 1919 - back
10 / 17

A banknote of 100 rubles, RSFSR, 1921. Obverse.

© Photo : Public domain/Treasury of the RSFSR
11 / 17

A banknote worth ten rubles, 1922, State Historical Museum

© Sputnik / Vitaliy Saveliev
12 / 17

A banknote in denominations of ten chervonets in the Central Banks of Russia Museum.

© Sputnik / Vladimir Astapkovich
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13 / 17

A banknote of 25 rubles, 1957.

© Photo : Public domain/Ivan Dubasov
14 / 17

A banknote in denominations of 25 rubles, 1961.

© Photo : Public domain/Goznak USSR
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A banknote in denominations of 100,000 rubles, 1995. Obverse.

© Photo : Public domain/Central Bank of Russia
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A banknote of 2000 rubles, 2017.

© Photo : Public domain/Central Bank of Russia
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A modernized banknote of 100 rubles during its presentation in TASS press-center, Moscow.

© Sputnik / Vitaliy Belousov
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