Within its framework, the Bank of Russia issues commemorative coins made of precious and non-precious metals as well as investment coins made of precious metals, which are distributed inside and outside the country. The Bank of Russia has been engaged in this work since its founding in 1992 (previously, in 1965 – 1991 commemorative and investment coins were issued by the State Bank of the USSR).
The Chervonet is a gold coin that was issued both for circulation and as a trade or bullion coin. First minted in 1701 under Peter the Great, the origins of the word are derived from the word “Chervonny”, meaning in Russian literally “Red” but also “of a High Quality” and had gold composition of 0.986 and weighed 3.47 g.
The second issue was an attempt to strengthen Soviet economics with “hard” currency backed by the gold reserve but was not successful due to political reasons. These were larger and weighted 8.6 g. with a gold composition of 0.900
There was another attempt in 1925 to strike more gold Chervonets coins, but it is believed that all but one was melted down.
| Year | Mint | Volume |
| 10 Roubles 1923 | Leningrad – ПЛ | 2.751.000 |
| 10 Roubles 1975 | St. Petersburg – ЛМД | 250.000 |
| 10 Roubles 1976 | St. Petersburg – ЛМД | 1.000.000 |
| 10 Roubles 1977 | St. Pétersbourg – ЛМД | 1.000.000 |
| 10 Roubles 1977 | Moscow – ММД | 1.000.000 |
| 10 Roubles 1978 | Moscow – ММД | 350.000 |
| 10 Roubles 1979 | Moscow – ММД | 1.000.000 |
| 10 Roubles 1980 | St. Petersburg – ЛМД | 900.000 |
| 10 Roubles 1980 ★ Proof | Moscow – ММД | 100.000 |
| 10 Roubles 1981 | Moscow – ММД | 1.000.000 |
| 10 Roubles 1982 | Moscow – ММД | 1.000.000 |
For the first time in 1996 Russian citizens were offered investment coins on domestic market, gold uncirculated Chervonets coins minted in 1975-1982 and the silver “Sable” coin of 1995. The Board of Directors of the Bank of Russia, declared on March 5, 2001, that the gold Chervonets and the silver “Sable” are legal tender in the territory of the Russian Federation.
To create conditions for gold coins to be used as an independent instrument for investment the gold Chervonets, and a new 24 carat gold coin “George the Victorious” were relieved of VAT as declared in the Article 149 of the second part of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation.
The coins of the Bank of Russia are struck in the Moscow and St. Petersburg mints and have a high artistic standard and perfect striking quality. They are popular in Russia and abroad, some of them repeatedly took prizes in opinion polls held by specialized foreign numismatic publications and organizations.
From 1975 to 1982, the Soviet Union was issuing Chervonets gold coins, equal to 10 Roubles, using the old design but with the new dates in relatively modest amounts as a bullion coinage and is the only issue commonly found.
Chervonets – in the center – the State Emblem of the RSFSR (the abbreviation for Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic): the shield surrounded by a wreath of ears and bearing the picture of hammer and sickle against the background of sunbeams; the inscriptions along the rim framed by a circle of dots: at the top – “ПРОЛЕТАРИИ ВСЕХ СТРАН СОЕДИНЯЙТЕСЬ!” (WORKERS OF THE WOPLD, UNITE!), at the bottom, under the State Emblem – “Р.С.Ф.С.Р” (R.S.F.S.R.).
Chervonets 1976 Reverse
The picture of a peasant – sower against the background of a plough, the rising sun and factories. The inscriptions along the rim framed by a circle of dots: at the top – “ОДИН ЧЕРВОНЕЦ” (ONE CHERVONETS), at the bottom to the left – the year of issue (1975 – 1982). The edge is bearing the pressed inscription: “1 ЗОЛОТНИК 78,24 ДОЛИ ЧИСТОГО ЗОЛОТА” (1 ZOLOTNIK 78,24 PARTS OF PURE GOLD). The coins were struck by Moscow Mint (ММД) and Leningrad Mint (ЛМД).
Russian gold coins: 50 Rouble “George the Victorious”
In February 2006 a new 24 carat gold investment coin featuring the Saint Georges the Victorious was introduced by the Bank of Russia. This is very similar to the reverse of the British Sovereign and should prove popular in the UK. So far 1,500,000 coins have been minted.
Obverse – in the centre – the Emblem of the Bank of Russia [the two-headed eagle with wings down, lower – the semicircular inscription – «БАНК РОССИИ» (BANK OF RUSSIA)] framed by a circle of dots and inscriptions along the rim: at the top – «ПЯТЬДЕСЯТ РУБЛЕЙ» (FIFTY RUBLES), at the bottom – the year of issue «2006», the letters to the left indicate the metal sign and the fineness, to the right – the fine metal content and the mint trade mark.
The Reverse depicts the image of St. George the Victorious sitting on horseback and slaying a dragon.
Mintage
In 2010, the Bank of Russian was planning to issue 700,000 of the 50 rouble St George the Victorious coins, and in 2011 they plan were to issue a new design 24 carat gold coin with the same specifications to commemorate the XXII th Winter Olympic Games – 2014 in Sochi. This would be a 50 Rouble denomination coin and the planned mintage was 2,000,000.
| Year | Mintage |
|---|---|
| Gold 50 Rouble 2006 | 150,000 |
| Gold 50 Rouble 2007 | 500,000 |
| Gold 50 Rouble 2008 | 630,000 |
| Gold 50 Rouble 2009 | 1,500,000 |
| Gold 50 Rouble 2010 | 640,000 |
| Gold 50 Rouble 2012 | 500,000 |
| Gold 50 Rouble 2014 | 300,000 |
| Gold 50 Rouble 2015 | 30,000 |
| Gold 50 Rouble 2018 | 150,000 |
Specifications
Russia has also produced in modest quantities commemorative gold coins in 10,25,50 and 100 Rouble denominations with themes of the Russian Ballet (most common), the 22nd Olympiad in Moscow, anniversary of the Russian State Russian featuring architecture, monuments and Leo Tolstoy