The Laptev Sea Walrus

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 a Laptev Sea walrus. The inscription at the bottom along the rim: «ЛАПТЕВСКИЙ МОРЖ» (THE LAPTEV SEA WALRUS).

Authors

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

The Laptev Sea walrus (Odobenus rosmarus laptevi Tchapski) inhabits the central and western areas of the Laptev Sea, the eastern part of the Kara Sea and the western part of the East Siberian Sea. The overall number of this species was in the thirties 6000–10000. In the last years — not more than 4000–5000 species. The reduction of the total number is stipulated by the intensive hunting on coastal walrus- rookeries. The Laptev Sea walrus is entered into the Red Data Book of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. Trading the Laptev Sea walrus has been completely forbidden in the Russian Federation with the exception of catching with special permission for the needs of local population.