500 Rubles - Peter the Great

This banknote could be exchanged for 430 grams of gold with a today‘s value of about 16,500 USD.

The 500 Rubles banknote, also known as “Petya”, was initially printed in 1912 and the most valuable Russian banknote that has ever been issued.

It could be exchanged for 430 grams of gold.

With a length of almost 30 cm, this banknote of the Tsardom of Russia is one of the world’s largest currencies ever issued.

The front side shows the coat of arms of the Russian tsars – the double-headed eagle – as well as the personal coat of arms of Tsar Nicholas II.

The back side shows a portrait of Tsar Peter I, better known as “Peter the Great”, the first tsar of the Russian Empire and the founder of Saint Petersburg, as well as the national allegory “Mother Russia” in the form of a young woman.