Peter I Rouble

Peter the Great's rouble was struck using minting presses imported from Holland, a direct lift from Western technology that helped standardize Russian currency for the first time.

This reform coin, issued between 1704 and 1725, featured a double-headed eagle on one side and the denomination in both Cyrillic and Arabic numerals. Peter aimed to drag Russia into the modern age, so these roubles often incorporated recycled silver from older coins, including Spanish pieces of eight. That's practical, not poetic. We don't know the exact mintage figures; records from that era are spotty at best.

Variations exist, like the 1721 restrike, but beware the fakes—I've seen more counterfeit Peter roubles than genuine ones in my three decades. As for myths, no, it won't bring you good luck or curse your enemies. It was just money.