USSR Aleksandr Pushkin 1 Rubles Coin

The 1 ruble coin issued in 1977 commemorates the 150th anniversary of the birth of the Russian poet Alexander Pushkin. The obverse of the coin features a portrait of Pushkin, while the reverse features the well-known coat of arms of the Soviet Union, with the hammer and sickle symbol and the inscription "СССР". The material of the coin is cupronic acid, and in the year of issue it was of particular importance in order to strengthen the Soviet cultural identity. The economic situation of the Soviet Union was relatively stable at the time of issue, although signs of later structural problems were already visible at that time. Revered as the founding father of Russian literature, Pushkin became a symbol of Soviet culture and ideology, as his works reflected not only the Russian but the universal human experience. The issue of the coin therefore also played an important propagandistic role, as Pushkin's figure could appear in it as an integral part of the cultural heritage of the Soviet people. The circulation of the 1 ruble coin not only functioned as a commemorative coin, but also formed part of everyday money circulation, although it became really valuable among collectors. The issue of the coin fits into the wider Soviet numismatic tradition, which tried to solidify Soviet identity and national unity by immortalizing historical and cultural figures.