RUSSIA, Tsars of Russia. Alexei Mikhailovich Romanov, 1645-1676. Rouble 1655 (Silver, 42 mm, 28.32 g, 3 h), Jefimok overstruck over a 1621 Rijksdaalder from the Republiek der Zeven Verenigde Nederlanden (Dutch Republic), Utrecht . MO•ARG•PRO•CONFO•BELG•TRAIEC Armored laureate half length figure of a soldier standing to right holding sword in his right and coat of arms in his left hand, countermarks '1655' and 'Tsar on horseback'. Rev. ✠ CONCORDIA•RES•PARVÆ•CRESCVRT Crowned coat of arms. Davenport 4836 (for host coin). Delmonte 942 (for host coin). Spasski 359 (for countermarks). A beautifully toned example of this highly sought-after type. Some marks and flan faults on the host coin, otherwise, host coin fine, countermarks very fine.


During the monetary reform of 1654 and 1655, the Russian government converted imported Western European silver thalers into circulating rubles by applying official countermarks, creating the coins known as Jefimoks or Yefimoks.

Rather than striking an entirely new silver currency, the state relied on these readily available foreign coins to meet an acute shortage of large silver denominations. Although the experiment was short-lived, Jefimoks remain among the most distinctive products of early Russian numismatics, illustrating both the country's dependence on imported bullion and its efforts to modernize its monetary system.