Armavir: Civil War Coinage

[Zantetsuken]

While there were numerous banknotes issued during the Russian Civil War, there were very few coins issued during this period. However, ARMAVIR in the Caucasus, was one area that issued local coinage. They had three denominations 1, 3 and 5 Ruble coins (the 5 Ruble coin being the rarest of the three), all dated 1918.  The two specimens listed a 3 Ruble (Type 2), and a 5 Ruble coin. All coins from this area carry the double-headed eagle stripped of it's crown and regalia, symbolising Russia's former glory.



ARMAVIR (MUNICIPAL)~3 Ruble (Type 2) 1918



ARMAVIR (MUNICIPAL)~5 Ruble 1918

[coinsarefun]

very 
Can't beat a doubled headed eagle

[Zantetsuken]

very 
Can't beat a doubled headed eagle

I like the double-headed eagle too. There's something very majestic about it's appearance. Armavir was the last Russian coin to have the eagle before the Soviets dominated the region. Armavir coins are very rare in any denomination or condition, but especially the 5 Ruble coin. The 1 Ruble coin, is the second rarest, and also notorious for being counterfeited. The fake 1 Ruble coins have appeared countless times on Ebay auctions. Fortunately, they're easy to spot due to their ugly design and crude striking.  Below are attachments of images saved to my harddrive from past Ebay auctions. NOTE- These are NOT from my collection, I'm just using these to show the difference between the genuine and fake 1 Ruble coins.

[walmann]

Interesting that the 3 ruble has one star beneath the tailfeathers and the 5 ruble has three stars, I would assume the 1 ruble piece has no stars.

Would have thought the number of stars would match the denomination.

[Zantetsuken]

Interesting that the 3 ruble has one star beneath the tailfeathers and the 5 ruble has three stars, I would assume the 1 ruble piece has no stars.

Would have thought the number of stars would match the denomination.

Interesting you should mention this. There are actually supposed to be two types available for the 3 Ruble coin. Type 1 has three stars below the wing feathers, Type 2 has only one star (my specimen). According to Krause's catalog, there is also supposed to be varieties available for this denomination, but I don't know what they are.  As for the 1 Ruble coin, the ones that I've seen in photos only had one star below the tail feathers. I hope this helped.

[walmann]

Did the double headed eagle vary on the same denomination as well?

There is a clear difference in the eagles on the 3 and 5 ruble coins shown here.

Were they inconsistent with the eagles as well as the number of stars?

Being a time of upheaval it is understandable the inconsistency that may result, even the most stable of nations make numerous variations , so one would think more so in this time period for that region.   

[Larry]

Interesting coins and information,  Thanks.  : )

[Zantetsuken]

Did the double headed eagle vary on the same denomination as well?

There is a clear difference in the eagles on the 3 and 5 ruble coins shown here.

Were they inconsistent with the eagles as well as the number of stars?

Being a time of upheaval it is understandable the inconsistency that may result, even the most stable of nations make numerous variations , so one would think more so in this time period for that region.

I looked at an old auction catalog that had both the 3 Ruble Types 1 and 2 listed. There is a slight variation in the eagles design for both types. There's also a slight difference in the size of the claws. The biggest difference is the size of the two specimens. Type 1, is 31 mm in diameter, whereas Type 2 is only 27.8 mm. Below are attachments of scanned images from the catalog for both types.

[walmann]

Thanks for the comparative photos.

Its nice to see varieties that don't require a loupe to distinguish.

[Zantetsuken]

Interesting coins and information,  Thanks.  : )

Thanks, I'm glad you like them. I'm trying aquire a 1 Ruble specimen, but there are so many fakes of these that I have to be careful.