Owen Matthews Owen Matthews

Russia’s complex relationship with the ruble

The first banknotes were greeted with deep suspicion in 1769 – but it was nothing to the distrust that Soviet and post-Soviet issues aroused

The 500 ruble note issued between 1905 and 1912. [Getty Images]
  • Comments

  • The Ruble: A Political History

    Ekaterina Pravilova

    OUP USA, pp. 576, £30

Already a subscriber? Log in

This article is for subscribers only

Subscribe today to get 3 months' delivery of the magazine, as well as online and app access, for only £3.

  • Weekly delivery of the magazine
  • Unlimited access to our website and app
  • Enjoy Spectator newsletters and podcasts
  • Explore our online archive, going back to 1828

Read next

Trending

Matt Ridley

Dam shame: what really caused Valencia’s floods?

From the magazine
Who is to blame for the devastating floods that hit Valencia on 29 October? The mob that surrounded King Felipe at the weekend and drove Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez out of town with a hail of mud and stones was angry at the failure to forecast the flood and warn people to get out of

More on catherine the great

Also by Owen Matthews

Latest

Comments

Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months

Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.

Already a subscriber? Log in