On the territory of Ukraine and Belarus people often find hoards of silver coins with images of Roman emperors and Latin inscriptions. These are the Roman denarius I - III centuries. Because of the trade development of the Slavs was still very weak, scientists believe that the Roman denarius were not used as money, but rather as a material for jewelry or crafts. Roman denarius are the earliest coins that are found on the territory of the former Soviet Union.
In VIII - IX centuries in Russia there were dirhams - the large silver coins with Arabic inscriptions. Dirhams minted in the Arab Caliphate, and from Arab traders brought to the territory of Kievan Rus. Here dirham received Russian name. It was called Kyn or Nogat, half Kyn was named Rezan. 25 kyn was equal to Grivna Kyn.
At the end of X century in the Arab Caliphate the minting of silver dirhams was reduced, and in XI century was absolutely stopped.
Importing of Western European coins to Russia begins in X century These coins have the same names as when Roman - denarius. To these thin silver coins with images of primitive rulers were transferred Russian names of coins - Kyns and Rezans.
At the end of X century minting own coins in gold and silver was started in Kievan Rus. The first Russian coins were called Zlatnik (made of gold) and Serebrenik (made of silver). On the coins depicted Grand Prince of Kiev and original coat of arms in the form of a trident - the so-called sign of Rurik.
The inscription on the coins of Prince Vladimir (980 - 1015) said: "Vladimir on the throne, and this is his silver," which means "Vladimir on the throne, and this is his money". For a long time in Russia the word "silver" was equivalent to the concept of money.
In the XIII century Russia was hit by the Mongol-Tatars. Cities were destroyed, trade decayed. In these difficult years Russia did not mint coins and did not bring them from other countries. Period between the XII and XIII century is known as "coinless".
We know of only one kind of "coins" of that time: heavy silver bullion. They were called "silver grivna". The were Kiev grivna , hexagonal bars weighing about 160 g and Novgorod grivna in the form of long bars weighing about 200 g. Scientists still have not figured out what items were in the money in the petty trade "coinless period".
We only know that in the XII century on the western outskirts of the Russian land coins like "Prague pennies" were in use. They were minted in the Czech Republic. On the eastern edge, in the current Ryazan, Gorky, Vladimir region dirhams of the Golden Horde were met. They are small silver coins without images, with Arabic inscriptions.
However mostly Russian currency appears in "coinless period". Novgorod silver bullion was called Rouble, and a half of silver bullion was called Poltina.
Peter I the Great or Pyotr Alexeyevich Romanov (_ru. Pyotr Alexeyevich Romanov, Peter I, "Pyotr I", or Peter the Great, "Pyotr Velikiy") (OldStyleDate | 9 June | 1672 | 30 May-OldStyleDate | 8 February | 1725 | 28 January) ruled Russia and later the Russian Empire from OldStyleDate | 7 May | 1682 | 27 April until his death, jointly ruling before 1696 with his weak and sickly half-brother, Ivan V. Peter carried out a policy of Westernization and expansion that transformed the Tsardom of Russia into the 3-billion acre Russian Empire, a major European power.
Peter was born in 1672 in Moscow , Russia to Alexis I of Russia and his second wife Nataliya Kyrillovna Naryshkina , within the walls of the Kremlin. On 29 January, 1676, Tsar Alexis I died, leaving the sovereignty to Peter's elder half-brother, the weak and sickly Feodor III . He died six years later in 1682. As Feodor did not leave any children, a dispute arose between the Naryshkin and Miloslavsky families over who should inherit the throne. Peter's other half-brother, Ivan V , was the next for the throne, but he was chronically ill and of infirm mind. Consequently, the Boyar Duma (a council of Russian nobles) chose the ten-year old Peter to become Tsar, his mother becoming regent. But one of Alexei's daughters from his first marriage, Sophia Alekseyevna , led a rebellion of the Streltsy (Russia's elite military corps). In the subsequent conflict, some of Peter's relatives and friends were murdered, and Peter witnessed some of these acts of political violence [1].
The Streltsy uprising of April-May 1682 made it possible for Sophia, the Miloslavskys (the clan of Ivan), and their allies, to insist that Peter and Ivan be proclaimed joint Tsars, with Ivan being acclaimed as the senior of the two. Sophia acted as regent during the minority of the two sovereigns and exercised all power. Peculiarly, a large hole was cut in the back of the dual-seated throne used by Ivan and Peter. Sophia would sit behind the throne and listen as Peter conversed with nobles, also feeding him information and giving him responses to questions and problems. This throne can be seen in the Kremlin museum in Moscow. For seven years, she ruled as an autocrat.
Peter was not particularly concerned that others ruled in his own name. He engaged in such pastimes as shipbuilding and sailing, as well as mock battles with his toy army. Peter's mother sought to force him to adopt a more conventional approach and arranged his marriage to Eudoxia Lopukhina in 1689 [2]. The marriage was a failure, and ten years later Peter forced her to become a nun and thus freed himself from the union.
By the summer of 1689, Peter planned to take power from his half-sister Sophia, whose position had been weakened by two unsuccessful Crimean campaigns. When she learned of his designs, Sophia began to conspire with the leaders of the streltsy, who continually aroused disorder and dissent of the tsar's rule. Unfortunately for Sophia, Peter, warned by the Streltsy, escaped in the middle of the night to the impenetrable monastery of Troitsky, there he slowly gathered his adherents and others, who perceived he would win the power struggle. She was therefore overthrown, with Peter I and Ivan V continuing to act as co-tsars. Peter forced Sophia to enter a convent, where she gave up her name and position as a member of the royal family.
Still, Peter could not acquire actual control over Russian affairs. Power was instead exercised by his mother, Nataliya Naryshkina. It was only when Nataliya died in 1694 that Peter became an independent sovereign [3]. Formally, Ivan V remained a co-ruler with Peter, although he was still ineffective. Peter became the sole ruler when Ivan died in 1696.
Peter grew to be quite tall as an adult, especially for the time period. Standing at 6'8 "(200 cm) in height, the Russian tsar was literally head and shoulders above his contemporaries both in Russia and throughout Europe.
Financial and monetary reform of Peter I
Large-scale state-political and socio-economic reforms carried huge financial costs. The main reasons for the financial reform there was a need for cash to build the fleet and development army of the Great Northern War of 1700-1721. Appeared arrears and the state budget deficit which threatened both internal and external security. The first years of the financial activities of Peter I was poorly thought out, so his first achievements in this area were short-lived. The reason for this it hopes Peter I as quickly as possible to get funds for the creation of a regular army and navy.
The Streltsy uprising of April-May 1682 made it possible for Sophia, the Miloslavskys (the clan of Ivan), and their allies, to insist that Peter and Ivan be proclaimed joint Tsars, with Ivan being acclaimed as the senior of the two. Sophia acted as regent during the minority of the two sovereigns and exercised all power. Peculiarly, a large hole was cut in the back of the dual-seated throne used by Ivan and Peter. Sophia would sit behind the throne and listen as Peter conversed with nobles, also feeding him information and giving him responses to questions and problems. This throne can be seen in the Kremlin museum in Moscow. For seven years, she ruled as an autocrat.
Peter was not particularly concerned that others ruled in his own name. He engaged in such pastimes as shipbuilding and sailing, as well as mock battles with his toy army. Peter's mother sought to force him to adopt a more conventional approach and arranged his marriage to Eudoxia Lopukhina in 1689 [2]. The marriage was a failure, and ten years later Peter forced her to become a nun and thus freed himself from the union.
By the summer of 1689, Peter planned to take power from his half-sister Sophia, whose position had been weakened by two unsuccessful Crimean campaigns. When she learned of his designs, Sophia began to conspire with the leaders of the streltsy, who continually aroused disorder and dissent of the tsar's rule. Unfortunately for Sophia, Peter, warned by the Streltsy, escaped in the middle of the night to the impenetrable monastery of Troitsky, there he slowly gathered his adherents and others, who perceived he would win the power struggle. She was therefore overthrown, with Peter I and Ivan V continuing to act as co-tsars. Peter forced Sophia to enter a convent, where she gave up her name and position as a member of the royal family.
Still, Peter could not acquire actual control over Russian affairs. Power was instead exercised by his mother, Nataliya Naryshkina. It was only when Nataliya died in 1694 that Peter became an independent sovereign [3]. Formally, Ivan V remained a co-ruler with Peter, although he was still ineffective. Peter became the sole ruler when Ivan died in 1696.
Peter grew to be quite tall as an adult, especially for the time period. Standing at 6'8 "(200 cm) in height, the Russian tsar was literally head and shoulders above his contemporaries both in Russia and throughout Europe.
Financial and monetary reform of Peter I
Large-scale state-political and socio-economic reforms carried huge financial costs. The main reasons for the financial reform there was a need for cash to build the fleet and development army of the Great Northern War of 1700-1721. Appeared arrears and the state budget deficit which threatened both internal and external security. The first years of the financial activities of Peter I was poorly thought out, so his first achievements in this area were short-lived. The reason for this it hopes Peter I as quickly as possible to get funds for the creation of a regular army and navy.
In the years 1703-1706 for the Town Hall began to appear arrears: it threatened the existence of the army and navy. Somehow to get the funds needed for the maintenance of the army and navy, Peter I began minting coins. However, a simple foreign minted coins, which appeared in Russia from the sale of treasury products to foreign countries, the problem did not solve (although income from this was 86,000), so Peter introduced new coins. Up to that time in Russia were in use only a Kopeika, equal to two Denga (1 Denga = half Kopeika). Kopeika is not considered a basic monetary unit and the word "kopeika" was only spoken, not minted. From now on, the rouble has become equal to 100 kopeeks or 200 denegs.
Peter I introduced a small change copper coins named Deneghka, Polyshka and Polypolyshka. Peter I ordered to mint silver coins such as Rouble, Poltina (1/2 Rouble), Polypoltina (fourth Rouble), Grivennik (10 kopeeks), Piatak (5 kopeeks) and Trehkopeechnik (3 Kopeeks). Weight of these coins was reduced. As a result of the reform of the basic unit of currency was Kopeika (not Denga), and its name first appeared on coins. All the cash was ordered to deliver to the mint, where the money was returned as new coins adding 10% - "for grivennik to the rouble". Then rouble, former XV century with a conventional unit which was used as a reference on exchange, has been canceled.
Peter I denied old money and Altyn (3 kopeeks). When Peter I got the first screw press. During the period Peter I several times going down the weight and probe coins, which led to the rapid development of counterfeiting.
In 1723, were issued copper five kopeeks ("cross" piatak). He had several degrees of protection (smooth field, a special alignment of the parties), but foreign mints were minted it and not forgery. "Cross" piatak subsequently removed for overstriking in kopeika (at Elizabeth).
On foreign models were minted gold 10 roubles, then they are rejected in favor of the gold coins of two rubles. Peter I was planning to introduce in 1725 a copper-ruble fee the Swedish model, but these plans fulfilled only Catherine I.
Gain on monetary reform first was huge, but gradually decreased. This monetary minting some relief provision of finance in the country, but soon a host of problems: Russian coin price has fallen by almost half, and the prices of all commodities went up to two times, and then fell in the two times all the accountant charges.
References:
[1] Nicholas Riasanovsky, "A history of Russia", Oxford: Oxford University Press. 2000, p.214.
[2] Nicholas Riasanovsky, "A history of Russia", Oxford: Oxford University Press. 2000, p.218.
[3] Nicholas Riasanovsky, "A history of Russia", Oxford: Oxford University Press. 2000, p.216.
Examples of coins of this period you can purchase:
Peter I introduced a small change copper coins named Deneghka, Polyshka and Polypolyshka. Peter I ordered to mint silver coins such as Rouble, Poltina (1/2 Rouble), Polypoltina (fourth Rouble), Grivennik (10 kopeeks), Piatak (5 kopeeks) and Trehkopeechnik (3 Kopeeks). Weight of these coins was reduced. As a result of the reform of the basic unit of currency was Kopeika (not Denga), and its name first appeared on coins. All the cash was ordered to deliver to the mint, where the money was returned as new coins adding 10% - "for grivennik to the rouble". Then rouble, former XV century with a conventional unit which was used as a reference on exchange, has been canceled.
Peter I denied old money and Altyn (3 kopeeks). When Peter I got the first screw press. During the period Peter I several times going down the weight and probe coins, which led to the rapid development of counterfeiting.
In 1723, were issued copper five kopeeks ("cross" piatak). He had several degrees of protection (smooth field, a special alignment of the parties), but foreign mints were minted it and not forgery. "Cross" piatak subsequently removed for overstriking in kopeika (at Elizabeth).
On foreign models were minted gold 10 roubles, then they are rejected in favor of the gold coins of two rubles. Peter I was planning to introduce in 1725 a copper-ruble fee the Swedish model, but these plans fulfilled only Catherine I.
Gain on monetary reform first was huge, but gradually decreased. This monetary minting some relief provision of finance in the country, but soon a host of problems: Russian coin price has fallen by almost half, and the prices of all commodities went up to two times, and then fell in the two times all the accountant charges.
References:
[1] Nicholas Riasanovsky, "A history of Russia", Oxford: Oxford University Press. 2000, p.214.
[2] Nicholas Riasanovsky, "A history of Russia", Oxford: Oxford University Press. 2000, p.218.
[3] Nicholas Riasanovsky, "A history of Russia", Oxford: Oxford University Press. 2000, p.216.
Examples of coins of this period you can purchase:
Peter I (1699-1725), 1 Rouble 1719, Bit-824
Peter I (1699-1725), 1 Rouble 1723
Peter I (1699-1725), 1 Rouble 1723
Catherine A. I (Martha Skavronskaya) [5 (15) in April 1684, Livonia - 6 (17) May 1727, St. Petersburg], Russian Emperor (from 28 January 1725), the second wife of Peter I.
Martha origin is unknown. According to some sources, she was the daughter of Samuel Skavronskaia Latvian peasant, on the other - Swedish Quartermaster J. Rabe. Education she did not get, and her youth was spent in the home of Pastor Gluck in Marienburg (now Aluksne in Latvia), where she was both a laundress and a cook. It is also likely that she was briefly married to a Swedish dragoon. In 1702, after the capture of the Russian troops Marienburg future Russian Emperor was the prize of war, and was first in the convoy B.P. Sheremetev, and then at Alexander Menshikov. Around 1703 she was noticed by Peter I. He was captivated by the beauty of Martha. She became one of his mistresses. Gradually, the relationship between them became more and more close. Martha (soon baptized in the Orthodox manner under the name of Catherine) differed cheerful, smooth and gentle nature. Lonely and unhappy in his personal life, Peter was more attached to Catherine, admitted giving birth to children by him. Catherine did not directly participate in the policy process, but had a certain influence on the tsar. According to legend, she saved the tsar in the Prut campaign, when Russian troops were surrounded. Catherine gave the Turkish Grand Vizier all her jewelry and thus induce him to sign a truce. On his return to St. Petersburg February 19, 1712 Peter was married to Catherine, and their daughter Anna and Elizabeth (the future Empress Elizabeth) received official status. In 1714, in memory of Prut campaign king instituted the Order of St. Catherine, which gave his wife on her birthday. In May 1724, Peter the first time in the history of Russia was crowned as Emperor Catherine. It is believed that the tsar was about to officially declare her as his successor, but he did not do it because he found out about his wife's infidelity with chamberlain B. Mons.
After the death of Peter and Menshikov efforts by relying on guard Catherine was enthroned. As she herself did not have the skills and knowledge of the statesman, when it ruled the country was established Supreme Privy Council, the head of which was the Menshikov.
Among the most important events of the time - the opening of the Academy of Sciences, an alliance with Austria. Becoming autocratic imperior, Catherine discovered a craving for unrestrained entertainment: almost all the time she spent at banquets, balls and a variety of festivals, which have a detrimental impact on her health, and almost no interest in the affairs management. Before her death, at the urging of Menshikov Catherine signed a will in which the throne was to go to the Grand Duke Peter Alexeevich (Peter II), and in case of his death to her daughters or their descendants.
Examples of coins of this period you can purchase:
Ekaterina I (1725-1727), Poltina 1727
Among the most important events of the time - the opening of the Academy of Sciences, an alliance with Austria. Becoming autocratic imperior, Catherine discovered a craving for unrestrained entertainment: almost all the time she spent at banquets, balls and a variety of festivals, which have a detrimental impact on her health, and almost no interest in the affairs management. Before her death, at the urging of Menshikov Catherine signed a will in which the throne was to go to the Grand Duke Peter Alexeevich (Peter II), and in case of his death to her daughters or their descendants.
Examples of coins of this period you can purchase:
Ekaterina I (1725-1727), Poltina 1727
Peter II [12 (23) October 1715, St. Petersburg - 19 (30) January 1730, Moscow], Emperor of Russia (since May 1727), son of Tsarevich Alexei Petrovich and his wife Natalya Alexeyevna (nee Charlotte Sophia, Princess of Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel).
Peter's mother died ten days after his birth, and in 1718 he lost his father. After the death in 1719 the son of Peter I's second marriage, various political forces in Russia and abroad have come to see the boy as a possible contender to the throne. In 1727, Menshikov persuaded Catherine I sign the will in favor of Peter, which also stipulated that the prince must marry the daughter of Mary Menshikov. After the death of Catherine and Peter proclaimed emperor, Menshikov settled young monarch in his house with full control of his actions. However, Menshikov soon became ill and his opponents took advantage of it. Under the influence of Osterman and Dolgoruky tsar Peter II stripped Menshikov of his rank, exiled to Siberia, and announced the termination of his engagement to the daughter of Menshikov. Peter was a lively, smart, and apparently not without ability, but also stubborn and willful boy temper like his great grandfather. Despite some similarities, Peter II, in contrast to Peter I, did not want to learn. Due to his young age, he could not properly engage in public affairs, almost did not appear in the Supreme Privy Council. This soon led to the breakdown of the entire management system, as officials, fearing unmotivated acts of Peter, did not dare to take responsibility for important decisions. The Russian fleet was abandoned, to which the emperor did not show any interest. The main favorites of the emperor became father and son, A. G. and I. A. Dolgorukov, colorless and unscrupulous people who were standing guard over they own interests. Their influence on the tsar was exceedingly great. Through the Ivan Dolgorukov, Peter spent time in various feasts, playing cards, society ladies of easy virtue and early addicted to alcohol. Constant companion of the tsar in hunting was his aunt Elizabeth, in which was in love. However Dolgoruky in November 1729 managed to force the tsar engaged to Princess Catherine Dolgoruky. By this time Peter was already burdened society Dolgoruky and show some interest in matters of state. In January 1730 Peter II of fourteen contracted smallpox and died after two weeks.
Examples of coins of this period you can purchase:
Peter II (1727-1729), 1 Rouble 1727 SPB
Examples of coins of this period you can purchase:
Peter II (1727-1729), 1 Rouble 1727 SPB
Anna (Anna Ivanovna) [January 28 (February 7), 1693, Moscow - 17 (28) in October 1740, in St. Petersburg], Emperor of Russia (1730).
Daughter of Tsar Ivan V Alekseevich and P. F. Saltykova. After his father's death in 1696, together with her mother and sisters lived in the suburban village of Izmailovo, where she received her education at home. In 1708, by order of Peter I the family moved to St. Petersburg, and in 1710, Anna was married to the Duke of Courland Friedrich Wilhelm. Friedrich died in January 1711 on the way from St. Petersburg to Kurland, where young departed soon after the wedding. Anna was about to go back, but at the insistence of Peter I was forced to live in Jelgava. Greeted with hostility Courland nobility, she soon came under the influence of Russian resident P. Bestuzhev, who became her favorite. Upon arrival in Moscow in 1730 she was proclaimed autocratic emperor. Her reliance were supporters of autocratic rule and guard.
Internal and foreign policy of Russia since Anna was aimed generally along the line of Peter I. After the dissolution Supreme Privy Councilin in 1730, there was restored value of the Senate and in 1731 created the Cabinet, actually ruled the country. Not trusting the former political elite and the Guard, Anna has created new Guards regiments - Izmailovo and Horse, completed with foreigners and freeholders of southern Russia. At the same time were satisfied the most important requirements of the nobility, made during the events of 1730. In 1731 established gentry housing for children of nobles, in 1732 the salaries of Russian officers were doubled, in 1736 established a 25-year lifespan, after which the nobles could retire and allowed to keep one of his sons to manage the estate. At the same time the policy was continued in the enslavement of all categories of the population: the decree of 1736 all factory workers declared the property of their respective owners. Anna Ivanovna's reign marked the rise of the Russian industry, especially steel, which appeared first in the world in the production of pig iron. Since the second half of the 1730s, began the gradual transfer of state-owned enterprises to private hands.
Ivan VI Antonovich (1740, St. Petersburg - 1764 Shlisselburg) was emperor of Russia from October 17, 1740 to November 25, 1741.
Ivan VI is a son of Anna Leopoldovna (niece of emperess Anna Ivanovna) and Herzog Anton Ulrich Braunshveigsky. Two-month Ivan VI became emperor after the death of Anna's under the regency of Biron, and when Biron was deposed ruler became a mother of Ivan VI. After a palace coup Ivan VI and his family in 1741 were sent to Riga where he spent more than a year. At the end of 1742 they were sent to the fortress Dinamiunde, thence to Fortress Ranenburg (337 miles from Moscow), and then to Kholmogory. In four years Ivan VI was taken away from the parents and kept separately. In 1756 he was secretly sent to solitary confinement of Shlisselburg. No one taught him nothing, he was tongue-tied and undeveloped. In 1762 Peter III visited Ivan VI and found that mental capacity of prisoner upset. Katerina II saw Ivan VI too. According to the received instruction Ivan VI was killed by guards while trying to free him by V. Y. Mirovich. Ivan VI was secretly buried in Schlisselburg and his tomb is unknown
Ivan VI is a son of Anna Leopoldovna (niece of emperess Anna Ivanovna) and Herzog Anton Ulrich Braunshveigsky. Two-month Ivan VI became emperor after the death of Anna's under the regency of Biron, and when Biron was deposed ruler became a mother of Ivan VI. After a palace coup Ivan VI and his family in 1741 were sent to Riga where he spent more than a year. At the end of 1742 they were sent to the fortress Dinamiunde, thence to Fortress Ranenburg (337 miles from Moscow), and then to Kholmogory. In four years Ivan VI was taken away from the parents and kept separately. In 1756 he was secretly sent to solitary confinement of Shlisselburg. No one taught him nothing, he was tongue-tied and undeveloped. In 1762 Peter III visited Ivan VI and found that mental capacity of prisoner upset. Katerina II saw Ivan VI too. According to the received instruction Ivan VI was killed by guards while trying to free him by V. Y. Mirovich. Ivan VI was secretly buried in Schlisselburg and his tomb is unknown
Elizabeth is a daughter of Peter I and his second wife Katerina. She was born December 18, 1709 in the village of Kolomenskoye.
When in 1712, Elizabeth's parents were married, she and her sister, Anna, born the year before, had been legitimized by the tsar.
However, the stain of illegitimacy remained Elizabeth lifetime. It hurt her to be the bride of the French Dauphin (later King Louis XV), for whom diligently woos her parents.
Elizabeth and Anna had a secular education, spoke French, German and Italian, beautifully sung and danced. The princess, like her father, was extremely easy to use, easy to get in contact with the people of the nations, baptizing the children of soldiers and on holidays sang songs with a simple girl in the street.
Happiness of Elizabeth was over after the death of her mother Katerina I when Peter II came to the throne. When Anna Ivanovna princess had even harder. She settled in Moscow and received extremely meager contents.
Relief came only in the short reign of Ivan Antonovich. His mother, Anna Leopoldovna ruler, was friendly to her good-natured and fun aunt. When she was told about the conspiracy in favor of Elizabeth, she found it necessary to talk openly with the Princess.
However, this is only triggered conspirators. On the night of November 25, 1741 palace coup was accomplished, elevated the Elizabeth to the throne. Brunswick family (young emperor and his parents) were arrested. Elizabeth became autocratic emperor.
Her first and most important step was the abolition of the death penalty.
When Elizabeth made many important events for the country. In 1747 abolished internal customs that seriously contributed to the development of trade in Russia. In 1755, Moscow University was opened. The foreign policy of the Elizabethan government was successful too. Russia has entered into an alliance with France and Austria, and in the Seven Years' War 1756-1763 won Prussia. Frederick II had lost many of his possessions, Königsberg became a Russian province, and in Berlin was a Russian governor-general.
Officially Elizabeth never married but there were persistent rumors that she secretly got married with A.G. Razumovsky, a former chorister of the court chapel. Ten years later she became a favorite of Ivan Shuvalov, one of the most educated men of his time, the patron of M.V. Lomonosov, curator of Moscow State University and the Academy of Fine Arts.
Elizabeth has appointed as her successor her nephew Peter (the future Emperor Peter III), son of early deceased sister Anne, who married the Duke of Holstein Charles.
Contemporaries believed Elizabeth one of the most beautiful women in Europe. According to memoirs, Elizabeth differed difficult character: she was terribly superstitious and people afraid to touch in any unwanted for Elizabeth topic.
However, the people were very fond of Elizabeth, and when she passed away on the night of Christmas December 25, 1761, sincerely mourned.
Examples of coins of this period you can purchase:
Elizabeth (1741-1762), 1 Rouble 1749 SPB, Portrait by T.Lefken, Bit-264
Peter III Fedorovich (Karl Peter Ulrich) (1728 Kiel, the Duchy of Holstein-1762 Ropsha near St. Petersburg) is a Russian emperor from 1761.
Peter III is a son of the Duke of Holstein, Carl Friedrich, a nephew of the Swedish king Charles XII and Peter I's daughter Anna Petrovna. He was the heir to the Swedish and Russian thrones. A child early lost both parents and he was severely punished for any offense.
In 1742 Elizabeth called her nephew to St. Petersburg where he was baptized by the name of Peter III and declared heir.
In 1745 he was married to Princess Sophie Augusta Frederica of Anhalt-Tserbstsky, later Katerina II. After the death of Elizabeth he came to the throne.
During the 186 days of the reign ceased hostilities against Prussia in the Seven Years' War of 1756-1763, returning the land to Frederick II, conquered Russian Army, signed a decree on freedom of the nobility, the destruction of the Secret Chancellery, prepared secularization of monastery possessions. Historical judgment of Peter III are extremely controversial. Sustainable tradition going from Catherine II, he usually seems ignorant, limited, incapable ruler (A.T. Bolotov, E.R. Dashkova, S.M. Soloviev, V.O. Klyuchevsky etc.). Positively evaluated the monarch V.N. Tatishchev M.V. Lomonosov, G.R. Derzhavin, etc. N.M. Karamzin wrote: "Deceived Europe all the time judged this emperor with the words of his mortal enemies or their dastardly supporters. Rigorous judgment of history, no doubt, his rebuke many mistakes, but the one who killed him was called weakness". Peter III was overthrown and killed in a palace coup which was based on the Guards regiments and Katherina II.
Brief reign of Peter III and mixed reviews of it formed the basis of many legends associated with his name, and the appearance of impostors who took his name. The most famous of these was the E.I. Pugachev.
Ekaterina II (1729, Stettin city - 1796, Tsarskoye Selo) - Empress of Russia in 1762-1796. Came from a small North German princely family, in the past she was Sophie Augusta Frederica of Anhalt-Tserbstsky. Ekaterina II was educated at home. Smart and ambitious, she was raised in the severity and nature of her pride strongly suppressed. In 1744 Ekaterina II came to Russia at the invitation of Elizabeth. Converts to Orthodoxy and was named Ekaterina, in 1745 married to lead Duke Peter Fedorovich (Peter Ulrich), later Peter III. The indifference of the husband's regiment courtyard, surrounded by ill-wishers, Ekaterina II read a lot, getting acquainted with the works on the history, law, works of the French Enlightenment, studied Russian language. In 1754 Ekaterina II had a son, the future Emperor Paul I. Disease of Elizabeth and her husband did dislike possible expulsion Ekaterina II of Russia. After the accession of Peter III refered to her more and more hostile, her situation was precarious. Backed by the Guards regiments in June 28, 1762 Ekaterina II made a bloodless coup and became autocratic empress.
Trying to imitate Peter I, Ekaterina II has been active reform efforts. Convinced of the control system unusable, Ekaterina II in 1763 held the Senate reform. The Senate was divided into six departments, the orphaned body managing state apparatus, and became the chief administrative and judicial institutions. Faced with financial difficulties, Ekaterina II in 1763 - 1764 held secularization (that appeal to a secular property) of church lands, which allowed not only to boost the coffers, but also to continue and complete neutralization started by Peter I of the clergy as a political force. Peasant War of 1773-1775 led by E.I. Pugachev has shown that she can only rely on the nobility. After the defeat of Pugachev Ekaterina II used every opportunity to create a powerful absolutist state. In 1775, "The establishment of control provinces" has created numerous administration in the field. In 1785 the "Charter of the Nobility" and "Charter to the Towns" streamlined social structure of Russian society divided into five classes: nobility, clergy, merchants, petty bourgeoisie ("neuter people") and the serfs, the power over them steadily increased. The reign of Ekaterina II nobles called "golden age".
When Ekaterina II Russian feudalism reached its peak. Ekaterina II was practicing a wide distribution of land and peasants to nobles.
Trying to imitate Peter I, Ekaterina II has been active reform efforts. Convinced of the control system unusable, Ekaterina II in 1763 held the Senate reform. The Senate was divided into six departments, the orphaned body managing state apparatus, and became the chief administrative and judicial institutions. Faced with financial difficulties, Ekaterina II in 1763 - 1764 held secularization (that appeal to a secular property) of church lands, which allowed not only to boost the coffers, but also to continue and complete neutralization started by Peter I of the clergy as a political force. Peasant War of 1773-1775 led by E.I. Pugachev has shown that she can only rely on the nobility. After the defeat of Pugachev Ekaterina II used every opportunity to create a powerful absolutist state. In 1775, "The establishment of control provinces" has created numerous administration in the field. In 1785 the "Charter of the Nobility" and "Charter to the Towns" streamlined social structure of Russian society divided into five classes: nobility, clergy, merchants, petty bourgeoisie ("neuter people") and the serfs, the power over them steadily increased. The reign of Ekaterina II nobles called "golden age".
When Ekaterina II Russian feudalism reached its peak. Ekaterina II was practicing a wide distribution of land and peasants to nobles.
Examples of coins of this period you can purchase:
Ekaterina II (1762-1796), 1 Rouble 1762, MMD, Bit-120
Ekaterina II (1762-1796), 1 Rouble 1762, SPB, Bit-182 (16.5.2013, Sold for 1000NIS, 275$)
Ekaterina II (1762-1796), 1 Rouble 1766, SPB, Bit-197
Ekaterina II (1762-1796), 1 Rouble 1773, SPB, Bit-217
Pavel I (1796-1801)
Pavel I Petrovich Romanov (1754,Petersburg -1801,Petersburg) is a Russian Emperor from 1796. Pavel I is a son of Ekaterina II and Peter III.
The child was taken away from his parents and brought up in the court of Elizabeth Petrovna. From 1761 for the education of Pavel I was responsible N.I. Panin that got good teachers who taught the Crown Prince of history, geography, mathematics, and language. Pavel I read a lot, fond of military affairs. In 1762, eight years, he has witnessed a palace coup learned of his father's death. N.I. Panin raised Pavel I in opposition to the spirit of the mother. The boy was able to strengthen the consciousness of his rights to the throne. Estrangement between mother and son grew. In 1772, after the majority, Pavel I was not drawn to govern the country as the legitimate heir. In 1773 he was married to Princess Wilhelmina of the Hessian. A marriage was not happy and after her death Pavel I was married to the princess of Wurttemberg that gave her husband 10 children including future Emperor Alexander I and Nikolay I.
Since 1783 Pavel I lived in Gatchina, hating mother and her favorites, and suspected that they want to get rid of him. Pavel I has ascended the throne at age 42. A.I. Herzen wrote later: "Pavel I revealed a shocking and ridiculous spectacle crowned Don Quixote". This "conservative utopia" in practice resulted in a life of petty regulations, limiting the centralization of state. institutions, unlimited despotism of the monarch and pursuit of talented people just for the fact that they were approached by Ekaterina II. Pavel I was trying to reform the army and fight the abuses, but the introduction of the Prussian orders for numerous arrests, chaos control leading to a feeling of fear and uncertainty among officers of the Guards and the top bureaucrats. The introduction of strict censorship, banning the import of foreign books in an attempt to alleviate the situation of the farmers by a number of statutes, including the limitation of serfdom to three days a week, have caused discontent of the nobility, not compensated by the wide distribution of the serfs. Considering the need to deal with the revolution in France, Pavel I put at the head of Russian Army A.V. Suvorov, committed in 1799 the victorious Italian and Swiss campaigns. However, after the coup of 18 Brumaire, which gave the power to Napoleon, Pavel I reoriented foreign policy of Russia into an alliance with France. The gap with England, where exported from Russia raw materials, caused damage to the landlord farms. Dissatisfaction of Petersburg, the aristocracy and the Guard, supported by British Embassy, has led to the plot. In the night from 11 to 12 March 1801 Pavel I was murdered by conspirators in the Mikhailovsky Castle.
Examples of coins of this period you can purchase:
Pavel I (1796-1801), Coronation Jeton, Bit-230
Alexander I Pavlovich (The Winner, Blessed) (12.12.1777-19.11.1825), Emperor of Russia (from 1801), was the eldest son of Pavel I.
Alexander I came to the throne after the murder of his father. He agreed to a coup but did not know anything about the impending murder. The tragic death of his father made a lasting impression on him, and Alexander life tormented consciousness of guilt for what happened.
During the reign of Alexander I, there were a number of events of the first importance After unsuccessful attempts to assist Austria in its war against Napoleon, and Napoleon's victory over Germany in 1806, held a meeting with Alexander and Napoleon signed the Treaty of Tilsit. In 1809 part of Sweden was annexed which together with the Vyborg province was named "Grand Duchy of Finland." But soon, Napoleon decided to get rid of too powerful neighbor and began to gather the troops and build warehouses with the clear intention of attacking Russia. The invasion took place June 12, 1812. 600000th Napoleon's army has thousands of guns, and Russia at that time was able to gather in three different armies of 205 thousand people with only 640 guns. Retreating to the enemy, the Russian army gradually gather strength, the approach of the outlying provinces, and the army of Napoleon, forced to protect their lines of communication, decreased. As a result, when on 26 August of the same year there was the Battle of Borodino, and was attended by 120 thousand Russian troops against 125 thousand Frenchmen. The total number of killed and wounded in this battle was 110 thousand soldiers. In early September, the French came to Moscow, and in October was forced to begin a retreat. Russian border moved back only 20 thousand people who had one gun. March 19, 1914 Russian troops entered Paris and stayed in France and Germany until 1817.
These military developments have raised extremely patriotic spirit of the Russian people, was called to the new activity all healthy forces and weakened the enthusiasm of Western Europe-class society.
In 1815, imperor Alexander I signed the Holy Alliance with Germany and Austria to protect the government against the monarchical principle of revolutionary unrest, which continued to grow in Europe.
Simultaneously with the formation of the Holy Alliance in order to help the Poles, Alexander agreed to the exchange of ownership of ancient Galicia to own Warsaw. The newly established Kingdom of Poland, as well as Finland had not only degree of autonomy, but many other "rights" with almost no obligations on Russia.
Imperor Alexander I Pavlovich died November 19, 1825.
Examples of coins of this period you can purchase:
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Alexander I (1801-1825), 1 Rouble 1818, Bit-124 (28.10.2013, Sold for 150$)
Alexander I (1801-1825), 1 Rouble 1818, Bit-123
Nikolay I (1826-1855)
Nikolay I (1796, Tsarskoye Selo - 1855, St. Petersburg) - Russian Emperor from 1825 is the third son of Pavel I.
From birth Nikolay I was recorded in the military service. He was raised by M.I. Lamsdorf that widely used corporal punishment. Science not related to military affairs, aroused Nicholas I disgust. Travelling in Russia and abroad have completed his education. In 1817 he married Princess Charlotte of Prussia (Russian name Alexandra).
Then he was appointed chief of the Life Guards Sapper Regiment and the general-inspector of the engineering part. Passionately in love with the outer side of military life such as system, uniform, parade, vindictive, short-tempered with his subordinates, Nikolay I was not loved in the Guard.
In 1819 he learned that will inherit the throne after Alexander I, but the corresponding manifesto was promulgated, which triggered the uprising December 14 1825. Upon receiving news of the impending plot Decembrists, Nikolay I wrote: "The Day After Tomorrow morning I - or the emperor, or not breathing." He led the suppression of the uprising and took an active part in the investigation and punishment over the Decembrists. Nikolay I began his reign with bloodshed and he was looking at the individual and society as anarchic element, forced to be a slave monarch, personifying power of state. Militarized state apparatus under the control of the emperor was to exercise strict regulation of all aspects of life of people. Nicholas I in the beginning of the reign of good faith attempted to resolve the question of the existence of serfdom, creating 11 secret committees on the peasant question, but in 1842 came to the conclusion: "There is no doubt that serfdom in its present position is evil". Therefore the Government of Nikolay I was limited to a moderate reform P.D. Kiselev, not satisfied with any of the landowners nor the peasants. More successful was the currency reform of the Minister of Finance E.F. Kankrin, streamlined circulation and protection from competition, the backward Rusian industry, but it did not encroach on the socio-political conversion.
Basing his politic formulated S.S. Uvarov "truly Russian conservatory beginning of Orthodoxy, autocracy and nationality," Nikolay I hard to implement it. He persecuted Jews, the Old Believers and sectarians.
Conducted Russification policies in the West Territory Kingdom of Poland, which after the suppression of 1830 - 1831 has been eliminated relative independence, abolished the Polish army and the area was declared an integral part of Russian Empire. Brutally suppressed the liberation war in the Caucasus led by Shamil.
Foreign policy of Nikolay I was an extension of its domestic policy. He sent troops to quell the revolution of 1849 in Hungary. An attempt to resolve the eastern question - get access to the Mediterranean Sea and decide the fate of the Christian subjects in Turkey has led to the Crimean War of 1853 - 1856 and ended with the collapse of the entire system. All his life Nikolay I strove to create the image of a benevolent monarch unpretentious in life, working 18 hours a day and strive to regulate anything and everything personally and to keep under control, Nikolay I did enormous abuse.
Foreign policy of Nikolay I was an extension of its domestic policy. He sent troops to quell the revolution of 1849 in Hungary. An attempt to resolve the eastern question - get access to the Mediterranean Sea and decide the fate of the Christian subjects in Turkey has led to the Crimean War of 1853 - 1856 and ended with the collapse of the entire system. All his life Nikolay I strove to create the image of a benevolent monarch unpretentious in life, working 18 hours a day and strive to regulate anything and everything personally and to keep under control, Nikolay I did enormous abuse.
Examples of coins of this period you can purchase:
Nikolay I (1826-1855), 1 Rouble 1828, Bit-106
Nikolay I (1826-1855), 1 Rouble 1829, Bit-107 (11.5.2013, Sold for 1000NIS, 278$)
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Nikolay I (1826-1855), 1 Rouble 1829, Bit-107
Nikolay I (1826-1855), 1 Rouble 1831, Bit-110
Nikolay I (1826-1855), 1 Rouble 1844, Bit-205
Nikolay I (1826-1855), Coronation Jeton, 1826 (8.6.2013, Sold for 500NIS, 135$)
Great site to "flesh out" the stories behind some of my favorite coins!
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