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In early 1924, during the final stage of a monetary reform, new silver coins featuring the USSR coat of arms were issued. The goal of the reform was to restore the ruble's purchasing power to its pre-revolutionary level. These coins supplemented the existing stocks from 1921-1923 and entered circulation alongside them.
| Parameter | Specification |
| Metal | Silver (.900 fineness) |
| Weight | 10 grams |
| Fine silver content | 9 grams |
| Diameter | 26.67 mm |
| Standard thickness | 2.0 mm |
| Edge | Inscription (varies by type) |
In early 1924, during the final stage of a monetary reform, new silver coins featuring the USSR coat of arms were issued. The goal of the reform was to restore the ruble's purchasing power to its pre-revolutionary level. These coins supplemented the existing stocks from 1921-1923 and entered circulation alongside them.
The 1924 poltinniks were minted on the same planchets as the tsarist 50 kopek coins, retaining their key parameters. This ensured continuity and public trust in the new currency.
The coin's design is closely tied to the history of the USSR in the 1920s—an era of 'unbridled and frenzied rhythm,' Mayakovsky's poems, and the Russian avant-garde. At that time, every object, including money, was expected to serve a propaganda function and glorify the country of the victorious proletariat.
The image of the blacksmith on the reverse became a symbol of workers and the country's industrialization. Thus, the coin became a kind of propaganda poster in metal.
Despite their mass withdrawal from circulation in the 1930s, the huge mintages mean that today most of these coins are worth little more than their metal value—about 350-500 rubles for a condition of VF or lower. However, perfectly preserved specimens with their original luster can be worth a great deal of money.
The main mintage of the coins was produced at the Petrograd (later Leningrad) Mint. These specimens are marked on the edge with the letters 'П·Л' (P·L), which are the initials of mintmaster Petr Latyshev.
Since the mint could not handle the volume, a significant part of the mintage was produced by a private mint in Birmingham, England. These coins bear the letters 'Т·Р' (T·R)—the initials of mintmaster Thomas Ross.
Initially, the minting was planned to be organized in London. Trial pieces with a plain edge were produced, which are very rare today. The letters on the edge by themselves do not indicate rarity; it is important to consider a combination of other details.
Among the poltinniks with the letters 'Т·Р' (T·R) on the edge, there are rare varieties that are highly valued by collectors. It is important to pay attention to the smallest details of the inscriptions and images.
Poltinniks with the letters 'П·Л' (P·L) also have their own rare and expensive varieties. When evaluating them, it is necessary to consider the full range of details, as the same feature can be rare for one mintage and common for another.
