
The ruble or rouble (; rus, рубль, p=rublʲ) is a
currency
A currency is a standardization of money in any form, in use or circulation as a medium of exchange, for example banknotes and coins. A more general definition is that a currency is a ''system of money'' in common use within a specific envi ...
unit. Currently, currencies named ''ruble'' in circulation include the
Russian ruble
The ruble or rouble (; Currency symbol, symbol: ₽; ISO 4217, ISO code: RUB) is the currency of the Russia, Russian Federation. Banknotes and coins are issued by the Central Bank of Russia, which is Russia's central bank, monetary authority ind ...
(RUB, ₽) in
Russia
Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a country spanning Eastern Europe and North Asia. It is the list of countries and dependencies by area, largest country in the world, and extends across Time in Russia, eleven time zones, sharing Borders ...
and the
Belarusian ruble (BYN, Rbl) in
Belarus
Belarus, officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. It is bordered by Russia to the east and northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. Belarus spans an a ...
. These currencies are subdivided into one hundred
kopeks. No kopek is currently formally subdivided, although ''
denga'' (½ kopek) and ''
polushka
A polushka (, "half f a denga) was a Russian coin with value equal to kopeck (100 kopecks = 1 rouble).
Production of polushkas as minted coins began in 1700 under Peter the Great, though more primitive hammered wire money polushkas had b ...
'' (½ denga, thus ¼ kopek) were minted until the 19th century. Additionally, the
Transnistrian ruble is used in
Transnistria
Transnistria, officially known as the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic and locally as Pridnestrovie, is a Landlocked country, landlocked Transnistria conflict#International recognition of Transnistria, breakaway state internationally recogn ...
, an unrecognized breakaway province of
Moldova
Moldova, officially the Republic of Moldova, is a Landlocked country, landlocked country in Eastern Europe, with an area of and population of 2.42 million. Moldova is bordered by Romania to the west and Ukraine to the north, east, and south. ...
.
Historically, the
grivna, ruble and denga were used in Russia as measurements of weight. In 1704, as a result of monetary reforms by
Peter the Great
Peter I (, ;
– ), better known as Peter the Great, was the Sovereign, Tsar and Grand Prince of all Russia, Tsar of all Russia from 1682 and the first Emperor of Russia, Emperor of all Russia from 1721 until his death in 1725. He reigned j ...
, the imperial ruble of the
Russian Empire
The Russian Empire was an empire that spanned most of northern Eurasia from its establishment in November 1721 until the proclamation of the Russian Republic in September 1917. At its height in the late 19th century, it covered about , roughl ...
became the first
decimal currency. The silver ruble was used until 1897 and the gold ruble was used until 1917. The
Soviet ruble
The ruble or rouble (; rus, рубль, r=rubl', p=rublʲ) was the currency of the Soviet Union. It was introduced in 1922 and replaced the Russian ruble#Imperial ruble (1704-1922), Imperial Russian ruble. One ruble was divided into 100 kopecks ...
officially replaced the imperial ruble in 1922 and continued to be used until 1993, when it was formally replaced with the Russian ruble in the
Russian Federation
Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a country spanning Eastern Europe and North Asia. It is the list of countries and dependencies by area, largest country in the world, and extends across Time in Russia, eleven time zones, sharing Borders ...
and by other currencies in other
post-Soviet states
The post-Soviet states, also referred to as the former Soviet Union or the former Soviet republics, are the independent sovereign states that emerged/re-emerged from the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. Prior to their independence, they ...
. In the past, several other countries influenced by the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union had currency units that were also named ''ruble'', including the
Latvian ruble,
Tajikistani ruble and
Transcaucasian ruble (later
Armenian ruble,
Azerbaijani ruble,
Georgian ruble).
Countries and territories currently using currency units named "ruble"
Countries and territories historically using currency units named "ruble"
See also
*
List of circulating currencies
There are 180 currency, currencies recognized as legal tender in United Nations (UN) Member states of the United Nations, member states, United Nations General Assembly observers, UN General Assembly non-member observer states, List of states wi ...
*
Currency union
External links
*
References
{{Portal bar, Numismatics, Money
Currencies of Russia
Denominations (currency)
Modern obsolete currencies
Numismatics