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ronin1
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| Location: | S.F. Bay Area, California USA |
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Posted: Saturday December 16th, 2006 09:52 pm |
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Modern Russian Currency…
Banknotes
Russia has gone through a great deal of economic upheavals in the past 20 years. As a result there are a considerable amount of worthless notes floating about. In my travels I have never experienced any of my exchange vendors or shop proprietors trying to pass off such notes. Still it is perhaps worthwhile to cover the basics.
The current bank notes originated in 1997. In 2004 all notes were modified to include new security features. They are in denominations of 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, 1000 & 5000 rubles.
The 5, 10 & 50 notes are 137 x 161mm in size.
The 5 ruble notes are being phased out in favor of the 5 ruble coin.
The 100 ruble note and greater are physically larger by 13 mm in length and 4 mm in height.
Coins
Russian coins are in rubles and kopecks. 100 kopeck is equal to 1 ruble.
Currently there are 1,2 & 5 ruble coins.
Also, there are 1,5,10 & 50 kopeck coins.
All coins are a nickel color except for the 10 and 50 kopeck coins, which are brass colored.
The bulk of each coin is roughly equal to its value.
Jubilee Coins
These Jubilee coins are commemorative coins that are legal tender. Often they commemorate the anniversary of events or cities. The denominations vary from 2 to 100 rubles. They are often easily identified as having two tone colors (nickel body with a 3mm brass edge or a brass body with a nickel edge). The most common Jubilee coins will be of the 10 ruble denomination.
Recommendations
For most travelers I don’t recommend getting anything above 500 ruble notes. Avoid the urge to get just 500 ruble notes. Getting just 500 ruble notes would be practical in reducing the bankroll bulge in your pockets, however it is not very practical in usage of bills. With money changers, specify a variety of note and coin demoninations. You will be glad you did.
If you come across a Jubilee coin, save it. They are not commonly circulated and would make a good sovereign, however be aware that it is not legal to transport Russian money outside the country.
Wikipedia, Overview Images of Bank Notes (3/4 of the page down)
Bank of Russia, Detailed Images of Bank Notes (Includes details of security features)
Contemporary Russian Coins (hover over any coin to see its obverse side)
Ronin
Last edited on Wednesday November 5th, 2008 08:46 pm by ronin1
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dwfunk
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| Joined: | Tuesday March 21st, 2006 |
| Location: | Houston, Texas USA |
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Posted: Sunday December 17th, 2006 03:10 am |
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When traveling from the US, and if you are planning on taking a wad of cash with you, save your self some major grief and specify PERFECT US Bank Notes to take with you when you go to the bank to get your cash.
I've discovered that if the US currency you take has marks on it, pen or pencil, has cuts or rips in it, they will refuse to take it. If the bills are "worn" they may or may not take them, and if they do, you will find they "ding" you for it by giving you a lower exchange rate!
The amounts you exchange will also determine your actual exchange rate. It takes thousands of dollars to get the daily official rate. Anything less, and you get a lower rate. So, sometimes it doesn't pay to exchange small amounts.
The clerk at the exchange will go over every single bill with microscopic precision. I did not notice any difference in scrutiny between $20's, $50's or $100's.
I found grabbing a wad of cash from the ATM machine at the last minute at the airport on the way out wasn't beneficial. Getting cash from an ATM machine in Moscow or Petersburg, one would be foolish to take US dollars, instead always get Rubles.
Always notify your bank about every ATM or credit card you will be using internationally, or you may find yourself cut off due to security reasons.
I would presume that other types of currencies would get the same scrutiny. I've got Euros and Sterling, but have not attempted to convert them to Rubles in country.
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David & Natalia
Republic of Texas/ Moscow, Russia
УЛ. КОНЕНКОВА
16th World Spacemodeling Championships
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ronin1
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| Location: | S.F. Bay Area, California USA |
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Posted: Sunday December 17th, 2006 04:40 am |
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dwfunk,
Good tips, I thought that I had written about the condition of currency... somewhere. Indeed I had, but in an obscure area. I have made a new topic to address this since it is an important issue.
Thanks for the heads-up.
Ronin
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