Soviet ruble

Soviet ruble
советский рубль (Russian)
Obverse of 1 ruble (1961) Reverse of 1 ruble (1961)
ISO 4217
Code	SUR
Denominations
Subunit
1/100	kopek (копейка)
Plural	rubli (nom. pl.), rubley (gen. pl.)
kopek (копейка)	kopeyki (nom. pl.), kopeyek (gen. pl.)
Symbol	руб
kopek (копейка)	к
Banknotes	1, 3, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 rubles
Coins	1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 50 kopeks, 1, 3, 5, 10 rubles
Demographics
User(s)	Soviet Union
Issuance
Central bank	State Bank of the Soviet Union
Printer	Goznak
Mint	Leningrad 1921-1991 (temporarily moved to Krasnokamsk 1941-1946), Moscow 1982-1991
This infobox shows the latest status before this currency was rendered obsolete.

The Soviet ruble or rouble (Russian: рубль; see below for other languages of the USSR) was the currency of the Soviet Union. One ruble was divided into 100 kopeks, (also transliterated as kopecks or copecks Russian: копе́йка, pl. копе́йки – kopeyka, kopeyki).

In addition to standard banknotes, the Soviet ruble was available in the form of foreign rubles (Russian: инвалютный рубль); also, several forms of virtual rubles were used for inter-enterprise accounting and international settlement in the Comecon zone.^[1] Many of the ruble designs were created by Ivan Dubasov. The production of Soviet rubles was the responsibility of the Federal State Unitary Enterprise, or Goznak, which was in charge of the printing of and materials production for banknotes and the minting of coins in Moscow and Leningrad.

Etymology

The word "ruble" is derived from the Slavic verb рубить, rubit', i.e., to chop. Historically, "ruble" was a piece of a certain weight chopped off a silver ingot (grivna), hence the name. The word kopek, kopeck, copeck, or kopeyka (in Russian: копейка, kopeyka) is a diminutive form of the Russian kop'yo (копьё) — a spear.

Ruble in the Soviet Union

The Soviet currency had its own name in all Soviet languages, sometimes quite different from its Russian designation. All banknotes had the currency name and their nominal printed in the languages of every Soviet Republic. This naming is preserved in modern Russia; for example: Tatar for ruble and kopek are sum and tien. The current names of several currencies of Central Asia are simply the local names of the ruble. Finnish last appeared on 1947 banknotes since the Karelo-Finnish SSR was dissolved in 1956.

The name of the currency in the languages of the 15 republics, in the order they appeared in the banknotes:

Language	In local language		IPA Transcription
	ruble	kopek	ruble	kopek
Russian	рубль	копейка	/'rʉblʲ/	/kə'pej.kə/
Ukrainian	карбованець	копійка	/kɑr.bo'βɑn.ɛt͡sʲ/	/ko'pij.kɑ/
Belarusian	рубель	капейка	/'ru.bɛlʲ/	/ka'pɛj.ka/
Uzbek	сўм	тийин	/'sɵm/	/ti.jin/
Kazakh	сом	тиын	/'su̯ʊm/	/ti.ən/
Georgian	მანეთი	კაპიკი	/mɑ.nɛ.tʰi/	/kʼɑ.pʼi.k'i.
Azerbaijani	манат	гәпик	/mɑ.nɑt/	/gæ.pɪk/
Lithuanian	rublis	kapeika	/'rʊ.bɫɪs/	/kɐ'pɛɪ̯ˑ.kɐ/
Finnish	rupla	kopeekka	/'ru.plɑ/	/ko.peːkː.ɑ/
Moldovan	рублэ	копейкэ	/'ru.blə/	/ko.pej.kə/
Latvian	rublis	kapeika	/'ru.blis/	/ka'pɛi.ka/
Kyrgyz	сом	тыйын	/'som/	/'tɯ.jɯn/
Tajik	сӯм	тин	/'sŭm/	/'tin/
Armenian	ռուբլի	կոպեկ	/'ru.bli/	/'ko.pɛk/
Turkmen	манат	көпүк	/ma.nat/	/kø.pyk/
Estonian	rubla	kopikas	/'ru.blɑ/	/ko.pi.kɑs/

Note that the scripts for Uzbek, Azerbaijani, and Turkmen have switched from Cyrillic to Latin since the breakup of the Soviet Union. Moldovan has switched to Latin and is once again referred to as Romanian.

Historical Soviet rubles

First Soviet ruble

The first ruble issued for the Socialist government was a preliminary issue still based on the previous issue of the ruble prior to the Russian Revolution of 1917. They are all in banknote form and started their issue in 1919. At this time other issues were made by the white Russian government and other governing bodies. Denominations are as follows: 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 15, 25, 50, 60, 100, 250, 500, 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 25,000, 50,000, 100,000. Short term treasury certificate were also issued to supplement banknote issue in 1 million, 5 million, 10 million rubles. These issue was printed in various fashions, as inflation crept up the security features were few and some were printed on one side, as was the case for the German inflationary notes.

Banknotes

In 1918, state credit notes were introduced by the R.S.F.S.R. for 1, 3, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 250, 500, 1,000, 5,000 and 10,000 rubles. These were followed in 1919 by currency notes for 1, 2, 3, 15, 20, 60, 100, 250, 500, 1000, 5000 and 10,000 rubles. In 1921, currency note denominations of 5, 50, 25,000, 50,000, 100,000, 1,000,000, 5,000,000 and 10,000,000 rubles were added.

Second Soviet ruble, January 1, 1922 – December 31, 1922

In 1922, the first of several redenominations took place, at a rate of 1 "new" ruble for 10,000 "old" rubles. The chervonets (червонец) was also introduced in 1922.

Banknotes

Only state currency notes were issued for this currency, in denominations of 1, 3, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 250, 500, 1,000, 5,000 and 10,000 rubles.

Third Soviet ruble, January 1, 1923 – March 6, 1924

A second redenomination took place in 1923, at a rate of 100 to 1. Again, only paper money was issued. During the lifetime of this currency, the first money of the Soviet Union was issued. This currency was short lived, not lasting too long after Vladimir Lenin's death.

Coins

The first coinage after the Russian civil war was minted in 1921-1923 with silver coins in denominations of 10, 15, 20 and 50 kopecks and 1 ruble. Gold chervonets were issued in 1923. These coins bore the emblem and legends of the RSFSR (Russian Federated Soviet Socialist Republic) and depicted the famous slogan, "Workers of the world, Unite!". The 10, 15, and 20 kopecks were minted with a purity of 50% silver while the ruble and half ruble were minted with a purity of 90% silver. The chervonetz was 90% gold. These coins would continue to circulate after the RSFSR was consolidated into the USSR with other soviet republics until the discontinuation of silver coinage in 1931.

Banknotes

As with the previous currency, only state currency notes were issued, in denominations of 50 kopeks, 1, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 250, 500, 1,000, 5,000 and 10,000 rubles. In early 1924, just before the next redenomination, the first paper money was issued in the name of the USSR, featuring the state emblem with 6 bands around the wheat, representing the language of the then 4 constituent republics of the Union: Russian SFSR, Transcaucasian SFSR (Azerbaijani, Armenian, and Georgian), Ukrainian SSR and Byelorussian SSR. They were dated 1923 and were in denominations of 10,000, 15,000, and 25,000 rubles.

Fourth (Gold) Soviet ruble, March 7, 1924 – 1947

After Joseph Stalin's consolidation of power following the death of Lenin, he launched a third redenomination in 1924 by introducing the "gold" ruble at a value of 50,000 rubles of the previous issue. This reform also saw the ruble linked to the chervonets, at a value of 10 rubles and put an end to chronic inflation. Coins began to be issued again in 1924, while paper money was issued in rubles for values below 10 rubles and in chervonets for higher denominations.

Coins

In 1924, copper coins were introduced for 1, 2, 3 and 5 kopecks, together with new silver 10, 15 and 20 kopecks, 1 poltinnik (50 kopecks) and 1 ruble. From this issue onward, the coins were minted in the name of the USSR (Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics). The "Workers of the World" slogan was carried forward. However, 1921-1923 coins were allowed to continue circulating. Copper ½ kopeck coins were also introduced in 1925. The copper coins were minted in two types; plain edge and reeded edge, with the plain edged types being the fewest in number. The silver coins once again had the same silver purity as the previous issues. The 1 ruble was only issued in 1924 and production of the poltinnik was stopped in 1927, while the ½ kopeck ceased to be minted in 1928. Coins of this period were issued in the same sizes as the coins previously used during the Czarist period. In 1926, smaller, aluminium-bronze coins were minted to replace the large copper 1, 2, 3 and 5 kopecks, but were not released until 1928. The larger coins were then melted down.

A shortage of silver coins had perpetually dogged the Soviet economy in the 1920s and silver was becoming too expensive to use, with much of it needing to be imported. By 1930 the silver coin shortage had become acute and the authorities scapegoated "hoarders" and "exchange speculators" as responsible for the shortages, and confiscatory measures were taken. In 1931, the remaining silver coins were replaced with redesigned cupro-nickel coins depicting a male worker holding up a shield which contained the denominations of each. All silver coins were returned and melted down. In 1935, the reverse of the 10, 15, and 20 kopecks was redesigned again with a more simple Art Deco inspired design, with the obverse of all denominations also redesigned, having the slogan "Workers of the world, unite!" dropped. The change of obverse did not affect all 1, 2, 3, and 5 kopeck coins immediately, as some 1935 issues bore the "Workers of the World" design while some bore the new "CCCP" design. The state emblem also went through a series of changes between 1935 and 1957 as new soviet republics were added or created, this can be noted by the number of "ribbons" wrapped around the wheat sheafs. This coin series remained in circulation during and after the monetary reform of 1947 and was finally discontinued in 1961.

In August 1941, the wartime emergency prompted the minting facilities to be evacuated from the Neva district in Moscow and relocated to Permskaya Oblast as German forces continued to advance Eastward. It only became possible to resume coin production in the autumn of 1942, for one year the country was using coins made before the war. Furthermore, the coins were made of what had suddenly become precious metals – copper and nickel, which were needed for the defense industry. This meant many coins were being produced in only limited quantities, with some denominations being skipped altogether until the crisis finally abated in late 1944. These disruptions led to severe coin shortages in many regions. Limits were put in place on how much change could be carried in coins with limits of 3 rubles for individuals and 10 rubles for vendors to prevent hoarding as coins became increasingly high in demand. Only high inflation and wartime rationing helped ease pressure significantly. In some instances, postage stamps and coupons were being used in the place of small denomination coins. It was not until 1947 that there were finally enough coins in circulation to meet economic demand and the restrictions could be eased.

Banknotes

In 1924, state currency notes were introduced for 1, 3 and 5 gold rubles (рубль золотом). These circulated alongside the chervonets notes introduced in 1922 by the State Bank in denominations of 1, 3, 5 10 and 25 chervonets. State Treasury notes replaced the state currency notes after 1928. In 1938, new notes were issued for 1, 3 and 5 rubles, dropping the word "gold".

1938 Series
Image	Denomination	Obverse	Reverse
	1 Ruble	Miner
	3 Rubles	Soldiers
	5 Rubles	Pilot
	1 Chervonets	Lenin
	3 Chervonets	Lenin
	5 Chervonets	Lenin
	10 Chervonets	Lenin

Fifth Soviet ruble, 1947–1961

Following World War II, the Soviet government implemented a confiscatory redenomination of the currency (decreed on December 14, 1947) to reduce the amount of money in circulation. The main purpose of this change was to prevent peasants who had accumulated cash by selling food at wartime prices from using this to buy consumer goods as the postwar recovery took hold.^[2] Old rubles were revalued at one tenth of their face value. This mainly affected paper money in the hands of private individuals. Amounts of 3,000 rubles or less in individual bank accounts were not revalued, while salaries remained the same. This revaluation coincided with the end of wartime rationing and efforts to lower prices and curtail inflation, though the effects in some cases actually resulted in higher inflation. Unlike other reforms, this one did not affect coins.

Banknotes

In 1947, State Treasury notes were introduced for 1, 3 and 5 rubles, along with State Bank notes for 10, 25, 50 and 100 rubles. The State Bank notes depicted Lenin while the Treasury notes depicted floral artistic designs. All denominations were colored and patterned in a similar fashion to late Czarist notes.

1947 Series
Image	Denomination	Obverse	Reverse
	1 Ruble	State Emblem of the Soviet Union
	3 Rubles	State Emblem of the Soviet Union
	5 Rubles	State Emblem of the Soviet Union
	10 Rubles	Vladimir Lenin
	25 Rubles	Vladimir Lenin
	50 Rubles	Vladimir Lenin
	100 Rubles	Vladimir Lenin	Moscow Kremlin

Sixth Soviet ruble, 1961–91

The 1961 redenomination was a repeat of the 1947 reform, with the same terms applying. The Soviet ruble of 1961 was formally equal to 0.987412 gram of gold, but the exchange for gold was never available to the general public. This ruble maintained a constant exchange rate at 40 Kopeks per Pound Sterling until 1992 when the ruble became the new currency of the Russian Federation.

Coins

The 1958 pattern series: By 1958, plans for a monetary reform were underway and a number of coin pattern designs were being experimented with before implementation. The most notable of these was the 1958 series, in denominations of 1, 2, 3, and 5 kopecks in copper-zinc, and 10, 15, 20, and 50 kopecks and 1, 3, and 5 rubles in copper nickel. These coins all had the same basic design and became the most likely for release. Indeed, they were mass-produced before the plan was scrapped and a majority of them were melted down. During this time, 1957 coins would continue to be restruck off old dies until the new coin series was officially released in 1961. This series is considered the most valuable of Soviet issues due to their scarcity.

On January 1, 1961 the currency was revalued again at a rate of 10:1, but this time a new coinage was introduced in denominations of 1, 2, 3 and 5 kopecks in aluminium-bronze, and 10, 15, 20 and 50 kopecks and 1 ruble in cupro-nickel-zinc. Like previous issues, the front featured the state arms and title while the back depicted date and denomination. The 50 kopeck and 1 ruble coins dated 1961 had plain edges, but starting in 1964, the edges were lettered with the denomination and date. All 1926-1957 coins were then withdrawn from circulation and demonetized, with the majority melted down.

Commemorative coins of the Soviet Union: In 1965, the first circulation commemorative ruble coin was released celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany, during this year the first uncirculated mint coin sets were also released and restrictions on coin collecting were eased. In 1967, a commemorative series of 10, 15, 20, 50 kopecks, and 1 ruble coins was released, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Russian Revolution and depicted Lenin and various socialist achievements. The smaller bronze denominations for that year remained unchanged. Many different circulation commemorative 1 ruble coins were also released, as well as a handful of 3 and 5 rubles over the years. Commemorative coins from this period were always slightly larger than general issues, 50 kopecks and 1 ruble coins in particular were larger, while the 1967 series of the small denominations were the same circumference but thicker than general issues. Initially, commemorative rubles were struck in the same alloy as other circulating coins until 1975, when the metallurgic composition was changed to a higher quality copper-nickel alloy that excluded zinc in the composition.

Starting in 1991 with the final year of the 1961 coin series, both kopeck and ruble coins began depicting the mint marks (M) for Moscow, and (Л) for Leningrad.

Banknotes

Banknotes were issued in denominations of 1, 3, 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 rubles, with similar colors to the previous series, but this time much smaller in size. The notes again depicted Lenin on the higher denominations and various buildings in Moscow.

1961 Series
Image		Value
Obverse	Reverse
		1 Ruble
		3 Rubles
		5 Rubles
		10 Rubles
		25 Rubles
		50 Rubles
		100 Rubles

Seventh Soviet ruble, 1991 – 1992

The Monetary Reform of 1991, was carried out by Mikhail Gorbachev and was known also as the Pavlov Reform. It was the last of such in the Soviet Union and began on January 22, 1991. Its architect was Minister of Finance Valentin Pavlov, who also became the last prime minister of the Soviet Union. Once again the exchange rate was 10:1, and like those of 1924 and 1947 had confiscatory attributes. The details of the exchange included a brief period to exchange old rubles for new – for three days from 23 to 25 January (Wednesday to Friday) and with a specific limit of no more than 1,000 rubles per person − the ability to exchange other bills considered in the special commissions to the end of March 1991.

Coins

In late 1991, a new coinage was introduced in denominations of 10 and 50 kopeks, 1, 5 and 10 rubles. The 10 kopecks was struck in brass-plated steel, the 50 kopecks, 1 and 5 rubles were in cupro-nickel and the 10 rubles was bimetallic with an aluminium-bronze centre and a cupro-nickel-zinc ring. The series depicts an image of the Kremlin on the obverse rather than the soviet state emblem. However, this coin series was extremely short lived as the Soviet Union ceased to exist only months after its release. It did however, continue to be used in several former soviet republics including Russia and particularly Tajikistan for a short time after the union had ceased to exist out of necessity.

Banknotes

Banknotes for this ruble were nearly identical in background color and size for all denominations compared to the 1961 series, but included more color and heightened security features. This time however, new 200, 500, and 1000 rubles were introduced along with 1, 3, 5, 10, 50, and 100 rubles.

After the breakup of the Soviet Union, many newly independent republics chose to continue circulating soviet rubles until the introduction of the new Russian ruble in 1993.

1991 Series
Image		Value
Obverse	Reverse
		1 Ruble
		3 Rubles
		5 Rubles
		10 Rubles
		50 Rubles
		100 Rubles
		200 Rubles
		500 Rubles
		1000 Rubles

Economic role

The Soviet Union ran a planned economy, where the government controlled prices and the exchange of currency. Thus the soviet ruble did not function like a currency in a market economy, because mechanisms other than currency (such as centrally planned quotas, queuing, or blat) controlled the distribution of goods. Soviet citizens could freely purchase only a limited set of products, thus the ruble had a role similar to that of trading stamps or of food stamps. The currency was not internationally exchangeable and its export was illegal. The sudden transformation from a Soviet "non-currency" into a market currency contributed to the economic hardship following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in December 1991.^[3]

Historical official exchange rates

Date	Rubles for 1 USD[4]
1924-01-01	2.2000
1924-04-01	1.9405
1927-01-01	1.9450
1928-02-01	1.9434
1933-04-01	1.9434
1933-05-01	1.7474
1934-01-01	1.2434
1935-01-01	1.1509
1936-01-01	1.1516
1937-01-01	5.0400
1937-07-19	5.3000
1950-02-01	5.3000
1950-03-01	4.0000
1960-12-01	4.0000
1961-01-01	0.9000
1971-12-01	0.9000
1972-01-01	0.8290
1973-01-01	0.8260
1974-01-01	0.7536
1975-01-01	0.7300
1976-01-01	0.7580
1977-01-01	0.7420
1978-01-01	0.7060
1979-01-01	0.6590
1980-01-03	0.6395
1981-01-01	0.6750
1982-01-01	0.7080
1983-01-13	0.7070
1984-01-01	0.7910
1985-02-28	0.9200 (local max)
1986-01-01	0.7585
1987-01-01	0.6700
1988-01-06	0.5804
1989-01-04	0.6059
1990-01-03	0.6072
1991-01-02	0.5605
1991-02-13	0.5450 (local min)
1992-01-01	0.5549

Replacement currencies in the former Soviet republics

Shortly after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, local currencies were introduced in the newly independent states. Most of the new economies were weak and hence most of the currencies have undergone significant reforms since launch that included change of names and denominations.

In the very beginning of the post-Soviet economic transition, it was widely believed by ordinary people and monetary institutions (including the International Monetary Fund) that it was possible to maintain a common currency working for all or at least for some of the former Soviet Union’s countries. The wish to preserve the strong trade relations between former Soviet republics was considered the most important goal.

The break-up of the Soviet Union was not accompanied by any formal changes in monetary arrangements. The Central Bank of Russia was authorized to take over the State Bank of the USSR (Gosbank) on 1 January 1992. It continued to ship USSR ruble notes and coins to the central banks of the fourteen newly independent countries, which had formerly been the main branches of Gosbank in the republics.

The political situation, however, was not favorable for maintaining a common currency.. Maintaining a common currency requires a strong political consensus in respect to monetary and fiscal targets, a common institution in charge of implementing these targets, and some minimum of common legislation (concerning the banking and foreign exchange regulations). These conditions were far from being met amidst the turbulent economic and political situation.

During the first half of 1992, a monetary union with 15 independent states all using the ruble existed. Since it was clear that the situation would not last, each of them was using its position as "free-riders" to issue huge amounts of money in the form of credit (since Russia held the monopoly on printing banknotes and coins). As a result, some countries were issuing coupons in order to "protect" their markets from buyers from other states. The Russian central bank responded in July 1992 by setting up restrictions to the flow of credit between Russia and other states. The final collapse of the ruble zone began with the exchange of banknotes by the Central bank of Russia on Russian territory at the end of July 1993. As a result, other countries still in the ruble zone (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Moldova, Armenia and Georgia) were "pushed out". By November 1993 all newly independent states had introduced their own currencies, with the exception of war-torn Tajikistan (May 1995) and unrecognized Transnistria (1994).

Details on the introduction of new currencies in the newly independent states are discussed below.

Country	New currency	Conversion rate from ruble	Date introduction new currency	Date leaving ruble zone	Remarks
Armenia	Dram	200	22 November 1993	?	-
Azerbaijan	Manat	10	15 August 1992	1 January 1994	The Manat was revalued 5,000 to 1 on 1 January 2006.
Belarus	Ruble	10	May, 1992	26 July 1993	The Belarusian ruble was redenominated 1,000 to 1 on 1 January 2000.
Estonia	Kroon	10	20 June 1992	22 June 1992	Pegged to the German Mark (1 DEM = 8EEK). The first ‘hardened’ currency in the former Soviet Union. Estonia introduced the Euro on January 1, 2011.
Georgia	Kupon lari	1	5 April 1993	20 August 1993	The "first Lari" was a temporary currency. It was replaced 2 October 1995 at a rate of 1,000,000 to 1 by the Lari.
Kazakhstan	Tenge	500	15 November 1993	?	-
Kyrgyzstan	Som	200	10 May 1993	15 May 1993	Until 1 January 2008 only banknotes were issued.
Latvia	Rublis	1	7 May 1992	20 July 1992	The Latvian ruble was a temporary currency, replaced by Lats at a rate of 200 to 1 in March 1993. Latvia introduced the Euro on January 1, 2014.[5]
Lithuania	Talonas	1	1 May 1992	1 October 1992	The Talonas was a temporary currency, replaced by the Litas at a rate of 100 (Talonas) to 1 on 25 June 1993. Lithuania introduced the Euro on January 1, 2015.
Moldova (excl. Transnistria)	Cupon	1	10 June 1992	29 November 1993	The Cupon was a temporary currency replaced by the Leu at a rate of 1,000 to 1 on 29 November 1993.
Russia	Russian ruble	1	1992	July 1993	The Russian ruble was redenominated 1,000 to 1 on 1 January 1998
Transnistria	Ruble	1	1994	?	The Transnistrian Ruble was redenominated 1,000,000 to 1 in 2000.
Tajikistan	Ruble	100	10 May 1995	?	As a result of its civil war, Tajikistan was the last country to leave the ruble zone. The Tajikistani ruble was replaced by the Somoni at a rate of 1,000 to 1 on 30 October 2000.
Turkmenistan	Manat	500	1 November 1993	?	It was redenominated in 2009 at a rate of 5,000 to 1.
Ukraine	Karbovanets	10	1991	10 January 1992	The Karbovanets was replaced by the Hryvnia at a rate of 100,000 to 1 on 16 September 1996.
Uzbekistan	Som	1	15 November 1993	15 November 1993	The first Som was a transitional currency, redenominated 1,000 (old) to 1 (new) on 1 July 1994.

Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan decided to leave the ruble zone, because it considered the Russian monetary policy to be too inflationary; which was not good for stabilizing the economy. Kyrgyzstan introduced its own currency (the som) on 10 May 1993. The first issue consisted of banknotes of 0.01; 0.10; 0.50; 1; 5 and 20 Som. After a period of dual circulation the som became the only legal tender, on 15 May. New series of banknotes were introduced in 1994 and 1997. Starting in January 2008, low denomination banknotes were phased out and replaced by coins.

Latvia

Latvia was the first country to introduce its own currency: the Latvian ruble, introduced May 7, 1992, on par with the Soviet ruble and circulated parallel with it; on July 20, it became the sole legal tender.^[6] It was the second country to leave the ruble zone entirely. Latvia decided to leave the ruble zone, because it considered the Russian monetary policy to be too inflationary; which was not good for stabilizing the economy. Latvia declared independence on 4 May 1990, this was, however, not formally recognized by the Soviet Union until 25 December 1991. On 3 September 1991 the Supreme Council of the Republic of Latvia passed a resolution to restore the status of the Bank of Latvia to that of a central bank, with the exclusive right to issue the national currency.

In the first four months of 1992 Latvia was adversely affected by the inflation of the ruble. In addition, the outgoing cash payments (with other ex-USSR states) surpassed the incoming money amounts by 122 million rubles (5.9%) in February and in April by 686 million rubles (29.2%), thus causing a very serious shortage of cash. Since money was issued by Russia, the Bank of Latvia was unable to improve the cash circulation in the country. The situation completely depended on the possibility of receiving or buying cash and credit resources from the Russian central bank. It was evident that a crisis could develop, in which the Bank of Latvia would not be able to execute even the most necessary payments.

Thus the Monetary Reform Committee of the Republic of Latvia was established, and on 4 May 1992 it passed the resolution on introducing a new temporary currency: the Latvian ruble. Notes were issued on 7 May in the following denominations: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 200 and 500 rubles. They were exchanged at par with Soviet rubles. Until 20 July both currencies circulated together, at that day the Soviet ruble ceased to be legal tender and Latvia left the ruble zone entirely.

The Latvian ruble was however intended as a temporary currency. It was gradually replaced by the new national currency (the lats). This process started on 5 March 1993 with the introduction of the 5 lats-banknote and would be completed on 20 July 1998, with the 500 lats-banknote.

The successful reform ending in the introduction of the lats facilitated Latvia’s transition to a stable market economy.

Transnistria

The unrecognized Republic of Transnistria, (sometimes called the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic), saw both Soviet and Russian rubles in use from its formation in 1990 until the introduction of the first Transnistrian ruble in 1994. During this period, Soviet and Russian banknotes had an adhesive sticker attached to each banknote, or "stamped notes" verifying use specifically within the republic, these stamped notes traded with Russian rubles at par until inflationary pressures and economic isolation led to the abandonment of the Russian ruble and a new currency was introduced in 1994, the "cupon" series. Like other ex-Soviet republics at the time, this currency was intended to be temporary and issued until the situation stabilized and the second Transnistrian ruble could be introduced in 2000. Transnistria was one of the last territories to officially leave the ruble zone.

Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan was "pushed out" of the Ruble zone as a consequence of the July 1993 introduction of new banknotes in Russia.

Uzbekistan introduced a temporary national currency (the som) on 15 November 1993. It replaced the ruble at a rate of 1:1. Between July and November 1993 old and new ruble notes circulated together. On 1 July 1994 the temporary som was replaced by a new, permanent, version of the som. Old notes were exchanged at a rate of 1,000 to 1. At its introduction 7 som were equal to 1 United States dollar.

See also

• Hyperinflation in early Soviet Russia

Footnotes

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Money of the Soviet Union.

• Leon Trotsky. The Revolution Betrayed. Chapter 4 - The Struggle for Productivity of Labor, associated with the issuence of the ruble, 1936
• A commercial site with some relevant historical information
• Catalog of USSR Banknotes from 1922
• Монеты России и СССР