SINCONA Auction 99 - Russian Coins and Medals
Antike russische Münzen, Russisches Kaiserreich, UdSSR, Russische Föderation
RUSSLAND Kaiserreich und Föderation
Bid
| Starting price | 1,500 CHF |
| Opening bid | 1,500 CHF |
You have to be logged in to place a bid
Description
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.