The White-Neck Goos

Obverse

in the center — the Emblem of the Bank of Russia (the two-headed eagle designed by I.Bilibin, lower — the semicircular inscription — «БАНК РОССИИ» (BANK OF RUSSIA) framed by a circle of dots and inscriptions along the rim: at the top — «ОДИН РУБЛЬ» (ONE RUBLE), at the bottom — «1998», the letters to the left indicate the metal sign and the fineness, to the right — the fine metal content and the mint trade mark.

Reverse

the relief picture of two white- neck gooses. The inscription at the bottom along the rim: «ГУСЬ БЕЛОШЕЙ» (THE WHITE-NECK GOOSE).

Authors

The artist: A.V. Baklanov
The sculptor: A.S. Kunats
St. Petersburg Mint (СПМД)
The edge: 252 corrugations

The white-neck goose (Anser canagicus Sewastianoff) is a rare species nesting on the small strip of the seaside tundra of the coasts of the Chukot Peninsula and Anadyrskiy Lagoon. Wintering grounds are situated on the stony coasts of Alaska and Aleutian Islands. Some birds spend the winter on Kuril and Commander Islands. The white-neck goose is under the threat of disappearance and is protected in the reserve situated in the area of Kolyuchinsky inlet. The total number in the last ten years is 12000–15000 individuals.