50 kopecks — RSFSR (1921–1922)

Photo: Michass (CC BY-SA) · Numista

Appearance

A silver coin 26.67 mm in diameter and weighing 10 g (.900 fineness) -- larger and heavier than the smaller denominations of the series. The obverse bears the RSFSR arms within a beaded circle. The reverse shows the value at the centre of a five-pointed star, within a beaded circle. Some of the 1921 and 1922 mintage carries the mint-master monogram "АГ" next to the date, part of the 1922 mintage carries "ПЛ". Reeded edge.

RSFSR Silver Coinage (1921-1923)

The first Soviet-era coinage -- silver coins dated 1921-1923 in denominations of 10, 15 and 20 kopecks (.500 fineness) and 50 kopecks and 1 rouble (.900 fineness), struck to the same weight and fineness standard as the pre-revolutionary Imperial silver coinage. Despite their dates, the coins were only released into circulation in 1924, alongside the first coins of the new design bearing the USSR (not RSFSR) coat of arms. Some years of the 50-kopeck and 1-rouble pieces carry a mint-master monogram ("АГ" or "ПЛ") next to the date -- from the Petrograd (from 1924, Leningrad) Mint, the only mint that struck this series.