1000 ruble note

Russia, AD 1993

A revolutionary hero falls from power

When a country experiences profound political or constitutional change, the designs on its coins and banknotes usually change too, reflecting the new order. For many years the paper money of the Soviet Union was dominated by a portrait of Lenin, who brought the communist Bolshevik party into power. However, this image was no longer appropriate after the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1992, during a widespread weakening of communism in Eastern Europe.

New notes were issued by the Bank of Russia. Their general appearance was quite similar to the Soviet issues, but the portrait of Lenin was dropped and the Kremlin became the main feature. On this note of 1993, Lenin has been replaced by a stylized view of the new tricolour flag flying above the Kremlin. More recent issues have carried other major buildings and monuments, and images of economic development, such as a hydro-electric dam.

A. Pick, N. Shafer and C.K. Bruce (eds.), Standard catalog of world pape (Iola, Wisconsin, annual publication)