1 Rouble - Catherine II 1796

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.