100 th Anniversary of Vitte’s Emission Law

Obverse

the two-headed eagle designed by artist I. Bilibin. The inscriptions along the rim: at the top — «3 РУБЛЯ 1997 г.» (3 RUBLES 1997), at the bottom — «БАНК РОССИИ» (BANK OF RUSSIA). The letters below indicate the metal sign, the fineness, the fine metal content and the mint trademark.

Reverse

the portrait of S.Y. Vitte, to the left – a scroll with the three-line inscription «ЭМИССИОННЫЙ ЗАКОН 1897 г.» (THE 1897 EMISSION LAW), below — a 100-ruble banknote of the State Bank of Russia issued in 1898 and two coins, at the bottom – Vitte’s facsimile signature.

Authors

The artists: A.A. Kolodkin, A.V. Kudin
The sculptor: V.M. Kharlamov
Moscow Mint (ММД)
The edge: 300 corrugations

The 1895-1897 currency reform carried out by Sergei Yulievich Vitte (1849-1915) put the gold currency into circulation, and enhanced domestic and foreign exchange rate of the ruble. The gold coin became the main means of payment. The paper money was also in circulation and was freely exchanged for gold at a fixed rate.