Beschreibung

Beard token 1705, Narrow beard type. With counterstamp on reverse. Rudenko B4. Bitkin 3893 (R2). Brekke 3. Selten / Rare. NGC XF Details. Leicht korrodiert / Slightly corroded.

An engaging relic from Peter the Great's program to "Westernize" Russia, beard tokens such as this reflected the tsar's fascination with contemporary Europe, where he saw that few men sported facial hair. Amidst the consternation at his request that all Russian men should shave their traditional beards, Peter allowed for men to keep their facial hair, provided they pay an annual beard tax, which tokens such as this were meant to serve as proof of.