Description

Nicholas I (1796–1855) was the Emperor of Russia from 1825 until 1855. He was also the King of Poland and Grand Duke of Finland. He is best known as a political conservative whose reign was marked by geographical expansion, repression of dissent, economic stagnation, poor administrative policies, a corrupt bureaucracy, and frequent wars that culminated in Russia's disastrous defeat in the Crimean War of 1853-56. His reign had an ideology called "Official Nationality" that was proclaimed officially in 1833. It was a reactionary policy based on orthodoxy in religion, autocracy in government, and Russian nationalism.

Obverse

Depicts the lesser coat of arms of the Russian Empire, denomination (Coin Rouble) above, date below. Mintmaster's initials (НГ — Nikolai Grachev) below the eagle.

The lesser coat of arms included a two-headed state eagle with spread wings pointed down crowned with two imperial crowns, over which the same third crown, enlarged. The state eagle held a wreath and a thunderbolt with a torch in its claws. On the chest of the eagle there was an escutcheon with the arms of Moscow, depicting Saint George (right), mounted and defeating the dragon.

The Imperial Crown of Russia, also known as the Great Imperial Crown, was used by the monarchs of Russia from 1762 until the monarchy's abolition in 1917. The Great Imperial Crown was first used in a coronation by Catherine II, and it was last used at the coronation of Nicholas II. It survived the subsequent revolution and is currently on display in the Moscow Kremlin Armoury's State Diamond Fund.

МОНЕТА * РУБЛЬ.
Н Г
1831 ГОДА.

Reverse

Depicts the fine weight "Pure Silver / 4 zolotniks / 21 parts" in the center, within a wreath of laurel (victory) and oak (strength), Russian imperial crown above, mint mark (С.П.Б. — Saint Petersburg Mint) below.

ЧИСТАГО
СЕРЕБРА
4 ЗОЛОТН∙
21 ДОЛЯ.
С.П.Б.

Edge

Silver • Fineness 83 1/3 4 zolotniks • 82 14/25 parts

СЕР•83 1/3 ПРОБЫ 4 ЗОЛ•∙82 14/25 ДОЛИ •

Characteristics
Material Silver
Fineness 0.868
Weight 20.73 g
Diameter 35.5 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Saint Petersburg Mint (СПБ)

Related coins

Silver, 28 g, ⌀ 41 mm
Moscow Ruble

Silver, 28 g, ⌀ 41 mm

Silver, 20.73 g, ⌀ 35.5 mm