Russian Currency Ruble (RUB)

Russian currency

The currency of Russia is ruble (also spelled rouble). The ruble was also the currency of Russian Empire and Soviet Union. One ruble consists of 100 kopeikas. The ISO 4217 code of Russian currency is RUB.

Russia ruble history

The most known version of “ruble” word origin is that it is derived from Russian verb “rubit” (to chop). In early history of Russia the ruble was a piece chopped off a silver bar called grivna. That’s why later that term became the official name of Russian currency.

In present day Russia there are 6th types of banknotes (10 Rubles, 50 Rubles, 100 Rubles, 500 Rubles, 1000 Rubles, 5000 Rubles) and 7 types of coins (1 kopeika, 5 kopeikas, 10 kopeikas, 50 kopeikas, 1 Ruble, 5 Rubles, 10 Rubles).

Russian banknotes pictures

Russian 10 Rubles banknote front view Russian 10 Rubles banknote back view Russian 50 Rubles banknote front view Russian 50 Rubles banknote back view Russian 100 Rubles banknote front view Russian 100 Rubles banknote back view Russian 500 Rubles banknote front view Russian 500 Rubles banknote back view Russian 1000 Rubles banknote front view Russian 1000 Rubles banknote back view Russian 5000 Rubles banknote front view

The comments of our visitors

Vincent Isambert
500.000 Rubles banknote
The 500.000 Rubles Banknote is actually an interesting and rather scarce collectible (especially if in good condition ). I believe it is worth quite more than 17 USD. I am personally ready to pay between 30 and 90 USD for one, still depending on condition (30 for average, 90 for uncirculated or about uncirculated). If anyone has one, please send me an e-mail! Sincerely Vincent Isambert vincent.isambert (at) gmail.com

The questions of our visitors

Lee Abbott asks: I have a 1995 dated 500000 note, is it of any value?
Expert's answer:
It is the banknote of the period before denomination. After the denomination of 1998, its new value was 500 Rubles. In current prices it is about 17 USD. So you better keep it as a nice souvenir.
Jhun Caamic asks: Is the Russian Ruble currency change with other currency outside Russia?
Expert's answer:
It is not a problem to exchange Russian rubles for local currency in the countries of the former USSR and some countries of the Eastern Europe. Also if some place in the world has a lot of tourists from Russia you can do it too, but the exchange rate will be far from fair.
Laura asks: Who is the man and the landmark on the banknote of 5000 Rubles?
Expert's answer:
The man depicted on the banknote of 5000 Rubles is Nikolai Muravyev-Amursky - Russian statesman, from 1847 to 1861 he served as governor-general of Eastern Siberia. In the history of the expansion of Russia in Siberia, he played a prominent role in returning the Amur River, ceded to China in 1689. The banknote is devoted to Khabarovsk city - the landmark is the Khabarovsk Cliff above the Amur River.
Nancy asks: Why are you not allowed to bring Russian currency out of Russia?
Expert's answer:
You are allowed to take Russian or any other currency with you when leaving Russia without special documents but not more than the sum equal to 3,000 USD.
Ed Read asks: I have a Russian Ruble 10,000 note dated 1993. Is this note still good currency? Thank You, Ed
Expert's answer:
The banknote you have was valid before the denomination of 1997. Later, until 2002 you could exchange it for the new banknote. The present day equivalent of 10,000 Rubles you have is 10 Rubles banknote (about 0,3 USD) so it is not a big loss, but a nice souvenir.