Elizabeth Petrovna Rouble

The most intriguing fact about the Elizabeth Petrovna rouble is that it was struck using silver often sourced from Russia's burgeoning Ural mines, a move that helped fund the empress's opulent court without relying on foreign bullion.

These silver coins, denominated at one rouble, featured Elizabeth's portrait on the obverse and the imperial double-headed eagle on the reverse, maintaining a design tradition from Peter the Great. Mintage varied by year, but records from the 1750s suggest tens of thousands were produced annually in Saint Petersburg. We don't know the exact output for every date, as some imperial archives burned in later fires.

One oddity: the edges of these roubles were sometimes reeded to deter clipping, a practical measure that didn't always work—thieves found ways around it. As for myths, I've heard tales of coins cursed by disgruntled serfs; let's just say, after thirty years, I've yet to see one cause trouble beyond tarnish.