6 Groschen - Elizabeth

These pieces were struck at St. Petersburg under Elizabeth I of Russia for circulation in conquered Prussian territories during the Seven Years' War, part of a broader Russian occupation coinage issued after Russian forces seized much of East Prussia from Frederick the Great beginning in 1758. The occupied population was required to use this coinage, and it circulated alongside Prussian issues that Frederick himself was debasing to fund the war — a sharp irony given the political stakes.

Production ended abruptly in 1762 when Peter III, an ardent admirer of Frederick, reversed Russian policy entirely and withdrew from the anti-Prussian coalition. The occupation coinage became obsolete almost overnight.