Catalog
1 Rouble - Catherine II 1796
| Issuer | Russian Federation (1991-date) |
|---|---|
| Year | 2009 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | Log in to see details |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Weight | Log in to see details |
| Diameter | Log in to see details |
| Thickness | Log in to see details |
| Shape | Log in to see details |
| Technique | Log in to see details |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Engraver(s) | Log in to see details |
| In circulation to | Log in to see details |
| Reference(s) | Log in to see details |
| Obverse description | Right-facing draped bust of Empress Catherine II occupying the central field, her hair elaborately dressed with pearl adornments and flowing loosely over her shoulders in the late 18th-century court style. The empress is depicted with a diadem and ornate necklace, her mantle draped over the truncation. A circular Cyrillic legend surrounds the effigy reading 'Б.М. ЕКАТЕРИНА II ИМПЕРАТРИЦА И САМОДЕРЖИЦА ВСЕРОСС.', abbreviated to denote 'By the Grace of God, Catherine II, Empress and Autocrat of All Russia'. The design is rendered in high relief with fine engraving detail characteristic of Imperial Russian coinage conventions. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Log in to see details |
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | Log in to see details |
| Reverse script | Cyrillic |
| Reverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Edge | Log in to see details |
| Mint | Log in to see details |
| Mintage | Log in to see details |
| Additional information |
Issued as part of Russia's ongoing "Historical Series" commemorative program, this piece reproduces the design of the silver rouble struck in the final year of Catherine II's reign — a coin that never officially circulated, as Catherine died in November 1796 before distribution was complete. The originals were largely melted or vaulted under Paul I, who moved quickly to erase his mother's numismatic presence.
Florentine bronze was chosen for the modern restrike series to distinguish replicas from genuine eighteenth-century silver without resorting to obvious modern alloys.