Russian Empire, 10 Roubles Gold, Nicholas II

OBVERSE

The obverse depicts the effigy of Emperor Nikolai II. Also visible is an inscription in Cyrillic “НИКОЛАЙ II ИМПЕРАТОРЪ И САМОДЕРЖЕЦЬ ВСЕРОСС”, which translates as “Czar Nicholas II Emperor and Autocrat of All Russia”.

REVERSE

The reverse shows the Coat of Arms of the Russian Empire as a double-headed eagle holding a sceptre and an orb in its talons. The eagle’s chest is surrounded by the chain of Andrei Pervozvanny’s order that contains a shield decorated with the image of St. George slaying the dragon. The crowns pictured above the eagle are adorned with ribbons. Represented on the eagle’s wings are eight coats of arms, one for every kingdom that was part of Russia during that epoch: Poland, Tauric Chersonese, Georgia, Siberia and the Kazan Kingdoms, the Principalities of Kiev and Finland, and Novgorod. The face value of the coin and its year of issue are also inscribed below the emblem.