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Questions and answers:
Fred asks: In April 1968, 4230 rubles were worth how many US dollars?
Expert's answer:
The official exchange rate at that time was 0.9 Soviet ruble to 1 US dollar. However, this had no practical significance for the citizens of the USSR, since it was forbidden to buy foreign currency under the threat of criminal punishment. On the black market, the exchange rate of the US dollar against the Soviet ruble was 5-10 times higher than the official one. So for the amount of 4,230 rubles you could buy about 500-900 US dollars.
Sean asks: Can I use 2017 era rubles banknotes in Russia or do I have to get 2023 rubles banknotes?
Expert's answer:
As of July 2023, banknotes of the 1997 series and their later variations of the early and mid-2000s (50, 100, 500, 1,000, 5,000 rubles) are in circulation in Russia. In 2017, two new banknotes were introduced in denominations of 200 and 2,000 rubles. All these banknotes can be used for payments.
Venessa asks: I have a 1920s Russian ruble in the amount of 10,000,000. What is its worth in 2023 US?
Expert's answer:
If I understand correctly, you have one banknote of 10 million rubles. In the early 1920s, because of hyperinflation, such banknotes were issued both in the Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic and in the Transcaucasian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic (
picture 1 and
picture 2). Not sure which one you have. The collectible value of the second banknote is about 13 USD. I haven't found information about the collectible value of the first banknote.
Yuri asks: I have 50,000 Belarusian rubles year 2000. How much is it worth?
Expert's answer:
The collectible value of this banknote is about 10-15 USD. You can check the prices yourself on Ebay, just search for something like: 50000 Belarus rubles 2000.
Adelle asks: What would 80 rubles from the 1960s be equivalent to in 2023 US dollars. I couldn't find an inflation calculator for rubles anywhere :(
Expert's answer:
The official exchange rate in the 1960s was 0.9 Soviet ruble to 1 US dollar. However, the Soviet ruble was not a convertible currency; on the black market, the price for 1 USD was about 8-10 Soviet rubles. So the amount of 80 rubles was equal to 8-10 dollars in the 1960s or about 70-100 dollars in 2023.
This is of course a very rough estimate, since the prices for all goods in the USSR were set by the state, therefore, for a number of goods, the purchasing power of the Soviet ruble could be high, while other goods simply did not exist or were in very limited supply (for example, cars).
Sufyan Anwer asks: Where do you see Ruble strengthening against USD till the end of 2023?
Expert's answer:
Some strengthening of the Russian ruble to the levels of about 65-70 rubles per USD can be expected in the first quarter of 2023. However, during the year, the reduction in export earnings due to sanctions restrictions will put pressure on the ruble and, most likely, the average exchange rate in 2023 will be in the range of about 70-80 rubles per dollar. So, most likely, there will be no significant strengthening of the ruble this year.
Laura asks: How much was a the ruble to dollar rate in 1990. Before the fall of the Soviet Ruble.
Expert's answer:
In 1990, the official exchange rate was 0.6 Soviet rubles to 1 USD. However, this meant little in real life, since in the USSR it was impossible to buy or sell foreign currency in a bank. On the black market, the cost of 1 USD was about 4-5 Soviet rubles.
Doug asks: How much was 1,000 Rubles worth in 1986 (compared to the US dollar)?
Expert's answer:
In 1986, the official exchange rate was 0.7 Soviet rubles for 1 USD. However, due to the economic difference, it did not reflect the real ratio of the value of these currencies. In the USSR, it was impossible to buy or sell currency in a bank. On the black market, for 1 USD, they could ask for 4, 6, or more rubles. So the sum of 1,000 Soviet rubles was equal to about 200-300 USD.
John asks: I have a 50 Russian ruble I think. Where would I go to here in America to find out about it?
Expert's answer:
You can easily find information on the approximate collectible value of this banknote by checking it on Ebay. Just search for something like "50 rubles (the year of issue)". This year should be indicated somewhere on the banknote.
Cristina asks: I have 50,000 ruble notes from 1993. Are they worth anything?
Expert's answer:
These banknotes are no longer in circulation and can't be exchanged. The average collectible value is about 20-40 USD per banknote in good condition. You can try to sell them via Ebay, for example. Although, there are a lot of offers of this banknote there, so not sure if it is worth it. You can just keep them as nice souvenirs, use as cool gifts.
Kent asks: I have a 100,000 ruble dated year 2000, what is it worth?
Expert's answer:
You probably have a banknote of 100,000 rubles of the Republic of Belarus and not Russia. In 2000, no such banknotes were issued in Russia. The collection value of it is about 20-40 US dollars.
John asks: What value of Russia 100 rubles 1993 banknote?
Expert's answer:
This banknote has a small collection value, about 2-3 USD. So you can just keep it as a nice souvenir.
Julia asks: Is the old 10000 ruble from 1993 still accepted or worth anything?
Expert's answer:
This banknote has long been out of circulation. Its collection value is on average between 20-30 USD. So you can just keep it as a nice souvenir.
Igor asks: Hey, I have 1 and 5 ruble bank notes from 1947 and 25 10 5 3 and 1 from 1961. Just curious could they be of any worth?
Expert's answer:
In general, none of these bills cost much. Depending on their condition, the price may vary significantly. 1 Ruble 1947 - 5-15 USD, 5 Rubles 1947 - 20-100 USD (the most valuable one), 1 Ruble 1961 - 0.5-1 USD, 3 Rubles 1961 - 1-2 USD, 5 Rubles 1961 - 3-4 USD, 10 Rubles 1961 - 3-4 USD, 25 Rubles 1961 - 2-3 USD. So you can just keep them as nice Soviet souvenirs.
Jess asks: If 5 dollars can be exchanged for 141.85 Russian rubles, how many Russian rubles can be obtained for 1,800 dollars?
Expert's answer:
The current exchange rate is about 65 Russian Rubles per 1 USD, so 5 USD = 300+ Russian Rubles, 1,800 USD = 110,000+ Russian Rubles.
Ben asks: What type of ruble bill is commonly used? Is a 5000 ruble bill common to have in your wallet for example?
Expert's answer:
1,000, 500 and 100 rubles banknotes are the most frequently used. Today, 5,000 rubles is the largest banknote in Russia and is used less often in everyday life. Also, such payment methods as debit cards are becoming more and more common.
Ashok Patel asks: Are there any currency exchange centers in Kyzyl?
Expert's answer:
You can exchange currency in local banks, here is the list of
banks in Kyzyl. It is the safest way. You can translate sites using
this service.
Amelia asks: I have a 100,000 rubles dated 1995. Is it worth anything? And can I trade for US currency?
Expert's answer:
This banknote is no longer a means of payment and you can not exchange it in a bank. It has a small collection value, about 10-15 USD. So you can just keep it as an interesting souvenir.
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 a new banknote. Today, this banknote has only a small collection value, so you can leave it as an interesting souvenir.