1 Rouble

The 1961 rouble series was introduced as part of Khrushchev's currency reform of January 1, 1961 — a redenomination at 10:1 against the old Stalin-era notes, accompanied by an official exchange rate adjustment that effectively devalued the rouble against gold and foreign currencies by a factor of 4.44, despite government claims to the contrary. Western economists at the time noted the discrepancy immediately.

The 1-rouble note from this series remained in production and circulation with virtually no design changes for three decades, surviving well into the Gorbachev period before the Soviet collapse rendered the entire series obsolete in 1991–92.