Description

Beard token 1705, Kadashevsky Mint. Rudenko B2. Bitkin Zh3893 (R2). Sehr selten / Very rare. NGC XF Details. Leicht gereinigt / Slightly cleaned.

To europeanize Russia after his travels to Europe, among other reforms, Peter ordered Russian men to shave their beards to be in conformity with what he observed in Europe. Met by much resistance, as a compromise, Peter allowed the rich to keep their beards for a substantial yearly payment and as proof of paying the tax they were given a token to carry to prove they had paid.