As in many countries, the First World War hit the Russian economy hard and the Ruble lost value.
In order to keep society going, it was soon necessary to rely on the issuance of emergency money in the form of stamps. This release is one such emergency currency stamp from 1915 depicting a portrait of Alexander III (1845-1894).
Alexander III ruled the Russian Empire from 1881 to 1894 and is also known as "The Peace-maker" because no major wars were fought under him but the stamp itself was issued under Nicholas Il (1868-1918). As the last ruler of the Empire, he was deprived of power in 1917. After his assassination the Church canonized Nicholas as a martyr.