The Karasuksky Regional Museum’s collection includes one of the first Soviet coins - a solid round coin with a face value of one poltinnik, or 50 kopeks. It is made from 900 silver and weighs 9.91 grams. According to the catalogue ‘Coins of the RSFSR, USSR and Russia, 1921-2012’, this coin was regularly issued between 1924 and 1931.
The USSR’s state emblem is displayed on the coin’s obverse, with the ribbon twisting around the emblem seven times. The letters ‘USSR’ are split evenly into pairs on either side of the emblem. The surface of the globe, positioned between the two sheaves is raised. In the lower half of the obverse, the face value is displayed - One Poltinnik. The slogan ‘Workers of the world, unite! ’ is displayed in a circle around the border. On the coin’s reverse a worker is depicted, with a hammer raised, ready to strike the anvil. A piece of metal lies on the anvil, ready to be processed by forging or hot stamping. A plough stands next to the worker, whilst a wheel is visible between the worker’s legs. The date of issuance is displayed at the bottom - 1925.
The inscription ‘9 grams pure silver (PL)’ is written on the coin’s rim or edge. ‘PL’ are the initials of the director of the Leningrad Mint, Pyotr Latyshev. He organized the issuance of silver and copper coins for the USSR. Some poltinniks were produced at the Royal Mint in London. The rims of these coins have the inscription ending with the initials ‘T. P.’, referring to Thomas Rose.
In 1921, the first Soviet coins started to be issued, with face values between 10 kopeks and 1 ruble. They were the same weight as the coins used under Nicholas II and made from the same type of silver. However, the designs were completely different, in keeping with the spirit of the workers’ and peasants’ state. In 1924, the design was re-designed, whilst in 1931, coins made from precious metals were replaced by the cheaper copper-nickel alloy. Silver coins remained in circulation, but in very small numbers.
There are two major periods for Soviet coins: 1921-1957 and 1961-1991. Up until 1957, the depiction of the state emblem changed time and time again, with the number of twists made by the ribbon increasing and decreasing. From 1965, anniversary and memorial coins, made from the standard metals, started to be issued with face values between 1 and 5 rubles. From 1977, collectable coins started to be produced, made from gold, silver, platinum and palladium. The last Soviet coins were produced between 1991 and 1992, made from other metals with new designs.
The USSR’s state emblem is displayed on the coin’s obverse, with the ribbon twisting around the emblem seven times. The letters ‘USSR’ are split evenly into pairs on either side of the emblem. The surface of the globe, positioned between the two sheaves is raised. In the lower half of the obverse, the face value is displayed - One Poltinnik. The slogan ‘Workers of the world, unite! ’ is displayed in a circle around the border. On the coin’s reverse a worker is depicted, with a hammer raised, ready to strike the anvil. A piece of metal lies on the anvil, ready to be processed by forging or hot stamping. A plough stands next to the worker, whilst a wheel is visible between the worker’s legs. The date of issuance is displayed at the bottom - 1925.
The inscription ‘9 grams pure silver (PL)’ is written on the coin’s rim or edge. ‘PL’ are the initials of the director of the Leningrad Mint, Pyotr Latyshev. He organized the issuance of silver and copper coins for the USSR. Some poltinniks were produced at the Royal Mint in London. The rims of these coins have the inscription ending with the initials ‘T. P.’, referring to Thomas Rose.
In 1921, the first Soviet coins started to be issued, with face values between 10 kopeks and 1 ruble. They were the same weight as the coins used under Nicholas II and made from the same type of silver. However, the designs were completely different, in keeping with the spirit of the workers’ and peasants’ state. In 1924, the design was re-designed, whilst in 1931, coins made from precious metals were replaced by the cheaper copper-nickel alloy. Silver coins remained in circulation, but in very small numbers.
There are two major periods for Soviet coins: 1921-1957 and 1961-1991. Up until 1957, the depiction of the state emblem changed time and time again, with the number of twists made by the ribbon increasing and decreasing. From 1965, anniversary and memorial coins, made from the standard metals, started to be issued with face values between 1 and 5 rubles. From 1977, collectable coins started to be produced, made from gold, silver, platinum and palladium. The last Soviet coins were produced between 1991 and 1992, made from other metals with new designs.
