Description: Russian Beard Tax replica coin token. New, aged condition. Shipped in a plastic coin pouch. Russian replica token. Copper color. Very nice condition, minimal wear. Slightly thicker than a United States quarter coin. No monetary value. From a coin collector website: Taxes serve three purposes: raise money for government functions, encourage activities (such as tax credits for energy efficient furnaces) and discourage activities (think cigarette taxes.) In 1705, Russian Czar Peter the Great instituted a tax on beards as part of his plan to modernize and westernize his backward country. Peasants and clerics were exempt, but everyone else who wanted to wear a beard had to pay an annual fee and carry a medal as proof of payment. The first medals were round affairs showing a nose, mustache and beard on one side and the imperial eagle on the reverse. Later issues were diamond shaped and dropped the images but bore the legend, “The beard is an unnecessary burden.” Randolph Zander, writing in The Numismatist (“Russian Beard Tokens,” December 1948), noted: “The law provided for check-points at the entrance to towns, where officials would deny passage to any bearded person who could not produce a beard token. In addition, law enforcement agencies were enjoined to arrest and fine bewhiskered individuals on sight if they carried no beard license.” The tax was collected from 1705 to 1772. It was levied according to rank, topping out at 100 rubles for wealthy merchants. The common round version was inscribed with the words "money taken" (ДЕНГИ ВЗѦТЫ) on the obverse and the date in Cyrillic numerals (҂АѰЕ ГОДѸ, "Year 1705") on the reverse. Keep a Beard Tax token with you for Good Luck! Or give it as a gift to a friend. It will come in a little plastic envelope. All orders will be shipped First Class through the USPS mail, from an established reputable Ebay seller. $1 shipping for one, fifty cents each additional. No offers taken. Thanks for looking; email with any questions!
Price: 7.89 USD
Location: Port Saint Lucie, Florida
End Time: 2024-10-13T15:32:35.000Z
Shipping Cost: 1 USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Return policy details:
Circulated/Uncirculated: Uncirculated
Composition: unknown
Theme: Good Luck
Other: Joke
