First Anniversary of Russia/Belarus Commonwealth

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

at the top to the left and to the right — the State Emblems of Russia and Belarus. The inscription at the top in the middle in five lines: «ДОГОВОР ОБ ОБРАЗОВАНИИ СООБЩЕСТВА РОССИИ И БЕЛАРУСИ» (THE RUSSIA/BELARUS COMMONWEALTH TREATY), below to the left – the Moscow view with the Kremlin, to the right – the Minsk view with an obelisk on Victory Square and the House of the Belorussian Government. At the bottom – the date of signing of the Treaty «2 АПРЕЛЯ 1996» (APRIL 2, 1996).

Authors

The artist: A.V. Baklanov
The sculptors: A.A. Dolgopolova, A.S. Khazov
Moscow Mint (ММД)
The edge: 300 corrugations

The Treaty was signed by President of Russia Boris Yeltsin and President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko on April 2, 1996. It aims to set up a common economic area, to form and carry out a common economic and social policy, to contribute to development and realization of joint programs, to unify the monetary, credit, tax and budget systems, to form up united energy, transport and communication systems, to set up common customs, to promote common scientific, educational and cultural building, to provide for cooperation in security of the borders and for protection of the environment, etc. Each side of the Commonwealth will preserve sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, as well as their constitution, state flag, state emblem, anthem, and other symbols of state power.