1 Rouble Buryatia

Part of Russia's ongoing "Regions of the Russian Federation" commemorative rouble series, this Buryatia issue was struck at a point when the program had already produced dozens of types with little variation in approach or mintage policy. Buryatia, a republic bordering Mongolia along Lake Baikal, has maintained a distinct Buddhist cultural identity since Tibetan Buddhism took root there in the 17th century — an unusual demographic footnote for a Russian federal subject.

Moscow Mint production for these regional issues typically ran in the low millions, enough to suppress secondary market premiums almost entirely.