1724 Peter I Ducat

The 1724 Peter I Ducat stands out for its bold introduction of a tsar's portrait on a Russian coin, a departure from the era's traditional symbols like saints or eagles. This design choice reflected Peter the Great's push to modernize the currency along Western lines, with his profile staring out as if to say, "Times are changing."

Minted in gold during his reforms, the coin likely used metal sourced from domestic mines or imported bullion, though exact origins remain murky. Records from the Saint Petersburg Mint are spotty; much was lost in later fires, so we can't pin down the precise alloy composition.

As for myths, I've heard tales that every ducat was touched by Peter himself, which is nonsense. He had better things to do, like building his navy.