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20 Roubles Voltaire
| Issuer | National Bank of the Republic of Belarus |
|---|---|
| Year | 2011 |
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| Shape | Rectangular |
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| Reverse description | The central field features a high-relief reproduction of the celebrated Voltaire sculpture by Jean-Antoine Houdon, depicting the seated philosopher in neoclassical style. The Belarusian inscription 'ВАЛЬТЭР' (Voltaire) is positioned in the upper left corner of the field. The alloy fineness designation 'Ag 925' appears in the lower right corner, confirming the sterling silver composition of the issue. |
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| Edge | Plain |
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| Additional information |
Issued as part of Belarus's long-running commemorative series honoring figures of the European Enlightenment, this piece marks the 2011 tercentenary of Voltaire's birth — he was born François-Marie Arouet in Paris in 1694. The National Bank of Belarus produced numerous silver commemoratives throughout the 2000s and 2010s targeting the collector market, with limited mintages and no circulation intent whatsoever.
Voltaire spent nearly three years exiled at the court of Frederick the Great in Potsdam, a relationship that ended bitterly in 1753 when Frederick briefly had him detained at Frankfurt.