The 1923 gold chervonets — the “Sower” — is the most famous Soviet gold coin: a peasant sowing grain against a factory skyline, issued by the RSFSR under the 1922–24 monetary reform to back trade with hard currency. All are dated 1923, and later Soviet restrikes mean buyers must know which era they’re holding. The entry covers the specs, the NEP context, and the restrike story.
Key facts
- 8.6 g, .900 fine gold — matched the pre-revolutionary Nicholas II 10-rouble specs exactly
- All dated 1923; decision to issue taken October 1922; designed by chief Petrograd mint medalist A. F. Vasyutinskiy; sower modeled from I. D. Shadr’s sculpture
- Face side: RSFSR arms; minted mainly for Soviet foreign-trade operations during NEP
- Western refusal of Soviet-symbol coins led the USSR to also strike Nicholas II portrait gold for foreign payments
- Restrikes of the chervonets were made 1975–1982