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Primary sourceArtifact1778

Russian Copper Coin of Catherine II, 1778

1778

A copper coin from 1778 stamped with Catherine II's crowned monogram, showing her authority in everyday money.

This copper coin bearing Catherine II's monogram and title shows how her imperial authority reached into everyday life.

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Photo of a round copper coin, face-on against a white background. Center shows a crowned monogram of a letter C with an R-like form and a large crown above; below it the date 1778 in raised numerals. Ornate laurel-like branches with a bow frame the lower and side edges.
Russian copper coin of Catherine II, 1778. Skokloster Castle collection.

About this source

What it is

This copper coin, dated 1778, bears the crowned monogram of Catherine II surrounded by laurel branches. Its maker is unknown.

Why it matters

Coins like this circulated widely among ordinary people across the Russian Empire, carrying the empress's title and symbol into daily transactions far from the court. It shows how imperial authority was made visible and routine through money.

Look closer

  • Why would a ruler put their monogram on coins used by everyone?
  • What does the crown and laurel decoration suggest about how rulers wanted to be seen?
  • What information about Catherine II's reign is missing from a coin like this?

This artifact is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Catherine the Great on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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