Saint George the Victorious (coin)


The Russian George the Victorious coins are bullion coins issued in gold and silver by the Central Bank of Russia. The gold coins have a face value of 50 rubles and have been minted since 2006. The silver coins are Russia's first bullion coins in that metal; they have a face value of 3 rubles and have been minted since 2009.

Background

was a Roman soldier and a member of the Praetorian Guard for Roman emperor Diocletian who died in 303 AD. He was sentenced to death for refusing to recant his Christian faith. He was a Great Martyr for the Eastern Orthodox Church and a highly revered saint in both the Western and Eastern Christian churches. He is the patron saint for Moscow, England, Georgia, and Ethiopia. The legend of Saint George and the Dragon tells the story of Saint George slaying a dragon and saving a princess that was going to be sacrificed to the dragon. Images and sculptures of the legend have been produced since at least the 11th century.

Design

The coin was designed and sculpted by A. V. Baklanov and minted at the Saint Petersburg Mint and the Moscow Mint. The 2006-2016 obverse features the emblem of the Central Bank of Russia—a double-headed eagle with wings down. This emblem was the same one used by the Russian Republic in 1917. Both obverses are inscribed with "БАНК РОССИИ", "ПЯТЬДЕСЯТ РУБЛЕЙ", indications of the precious metal content and its fineness, and the year of issue followed by the mint mark. M is the mint mark for the Moscow Mint and C-П is for the St. Petersburg Mint. From 2017 forward, The double-headed eagle version was replaced with the current Coat of arms of Russia. The top of the coin is inscribed with "РОССИЙСКАЯ ФЕДЕРАЦИЯ". This version of the obverse was designed by E. V. Kramskaya.

Gold

Gold George the Victorious coins were first issued on February 1, 2006.
YearMintage
2006150,000
2007500,000
2008630,000
20091,500,000
2010640,000
2012500,000
2014300,000
201530,000
2018150,000

Gold in proof quality

In August 2012, the Central Bank of the Russian Federation issued two special coins under "Saint George the Victorious" title. One coin has denomination "50 rubles" minted in 99.9% purity, and contains not less than 7.78 grams of fine gold. Unlike traditional 50 rubles Saint George the Victorious, the coin is minted in proof quality. Another coin has "100 rubles" denomination, features 99.9% purity, contains not less than 15.55 gram of fine gold. The coin has the same design as 50 rubles Saint George the Victorious coins but greater diameter and thickness. There are 240 corrugations on the edge of the coin. The coin is also minted in proof quality.
Higher prices, low mintages and a special care of proof coin handling turn Gold Saint George the Victorious in proof quality coins into numismatic items rather than means of a straightforward investment in gold coins.

Silver

Silver George the Victorious coins were first issued on January 11, 2009.
YearMintage
2009280,000
2010500,000
20110
20120
20130
20140
2015100,000
201618,205
201720,000
2018150,000