Varieties and Value of the 1924 USSR Silver Ruble

General Characteristics of the 1 Ruble 1924 Coin

The 1924 silver ruble is an iconic coin of the early Soviet period. This genuine currency is made of 900-fineness silver and weighs exactly 20 grams.

To date, numismatists are aware of six main varieties of this coin. Each has its own distinctive features and, consequently, a different collector's value on the market.

Common and Widespread Varieties

There are several versions of the 1924 ruble that are considered common and are valued at approximately 3,000 rubles. They differ in minor minting details. For their identification, it is important to pay attention to the edge, obverse, and reverse.

1. Edge with the letters 'PL', two awns to the right of the globe on the obverse, the peasant's foot on the reverse has no spike.
2. Edge with the letters 'PL', two awns to the right of the globe, but a spike protrudes from the peasant's foot. It is worth noting that most counterfeits of this coin copy this specific version.
3. Edge with the letters 'PL', one awn to the right of the globe, rectangular windows on the factory on the reverse.

All these three versions are the most common and have a similar value.

Rare and Expensive Varieties of the Coin

In addition to the common ones, there are also rare varieties of the 1924 ruble, whose value is significantly higher. These coins are of great interest to collectors due to their rarity and unique features.

Identifying rare versions requires careful examination of details. Key differences can be in the shape of the windows on the factory image or in the initials on the edge.

The coin with a smooth edge is extremely rare. One such specimen was sold at the 'Imperia' auction in 2009, where it was valued at 4,500-5,000 US dollars, which today is equivalent to over 300,000 rubles.

Unique Aluminum Trial Strike

In addition to the silver coins, there is also a known unique trial ruble from 1924, minted on an aluminum planchet. Due to the use of a different metal, its weight is only 6 grams, compared to the standard 20 grams.

This specimen is extremely rare. In 2002, it was listed at the 'Coins and Medals' auction with an estimated value of 4,000 to 5,000 dollars. Today, the price of such a trial piece can exceed 300,000 rubles, and this is not the limit.