Russia 50 Rubles (1997)

The ruble or rouble (Russian: рубль rublʹ, plural рубли́ rubli) is the currency of the Russian Federation. Formerly, the ruble was also the currency of the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union prior to their breakups. The ruble is subdivided into 100 kopeks (sometimes transliterated kopecks, or copecks; Russian: копе́йка, kopéyka; plural: копе́йки, kopéyki).

According to the most popular version, the word "ruble" is derived from the Russian verb руби́ть, rubit', meaning to chop. Historically, a "ruble" was a piece of a certain weight chopped off a gold or silver ingot (grivna), hence the name. Another version is that the name comes from the Russian noun рубе́ц, meaning "seam", as coins were molded and a seam was clearly visible on the side.

Obverse: A Rostral Column sculpture on background

of Petropavlosk Fortress in Saint Petersburg

Reverse: Old Saint Petersburg 

Stock Exchange and Rostral Columns

Watermark: "50", Peter and Paul Cathedral.

Many thanks to Marko L. from Germany.