Why buy this Antiqued Silver Smithsonian Russian Beard Token?
As part of his efforts to modernize and Westernize Russia, Peter the Great imposed a beard tax to discourage men from wearing them. Those who paid the tax, the amount of which was determined by a person's social standing, could continue to wear the beard. Few of the originals remain, and the Smithsonian Institution owns some of them. The Institution officially licensed these replica tokens, which replicate the originals. This token was struck and hand antiqued at the Shire Post Mint from 10 g of .999 fine silver, which makes it slightly larger than the original. The token comes in its original mint packaging, which includes a specialty capsule with a foam insert and a story card, which includes a certificate of authenticity. It will arrive in GEM Brilliant Uncirculated condition, meaning that it has a strong strike, stunning mint luster, and no evidence of wear.
Authentic Bearded Face Design
Both faces of this medal replicate the original designs of the beard tokens. The obverse bears a nose-down look at a bearded face, which also has a mustache. Above the face is a Cyrillic inscription that translated to "Money taken," an indication that the holder had paid the requisite tax. Along the rim is a leafy wreath that encircles the inscription and the design.
At the top center is a Russian Imperial Eagle. Below that is an inscription that means "Year 2019." The Smithsonian Sun is counterstamped at the bottom. On the original metals, this space would have been reserved for counterstamps that indicated that the token holder had paid the tax for two or three years rather than just one.
Add this Smithsonian Antiqued Silver Russian Beard Token to your collection today.
