Transnistrian ruble

The ruble is the currency of Transnistria and is divided into 100 kopecks. Since Transnistria is a state with limited international recognition and considered as part of Moldova, its currency has no ISO 4217 code. However, unofficially some Transnistrian organisations such as Agroprombank and Gazprombank used the code PRB, a code that would otherwise be reserved for Puerto Rico (ISO 3166-1 country code PR). The Transnistrian Republican Bank sometimes uses the code RUP.[1]

Transnistrian ruble
rublă transnistreană (in Romanian)
приднестровский рубль (in Russian)
придністровський рубль (in Ukrainian)
2007 issue Transnistrian ruble banknotes
Denominations
Subunit
 1/100kopeck
копейка  (Russian)
copeică  (Romanian)
Pluralrubles
ruble  (Romanian)
The language(s) of this currency belong(s) to the Slavic languages. There is more than one way to construct plural forms.
 kopeck
копейка  (Russian)
copeică  (Romanian)		kopecks
copeici  (Romanian)
Symbol (commonly руб/р, with occasionally ПМР after it)
Banknotes1, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 200, 500 rubles
Coins1, 5, 10, 25, 50 kopecks and 1, 3, 5 and 10 rubles
Demographics
User(s) Transnistria
Issuance
Central bankTransnistrian Republican Bank
 Websitewww.cbpmr.net
MintTiraspol Mint (Тираспольский монетный двор)
Valuation
Inflation10.83%
 Source"Inflation", Pridnestrovie, 2006

First ruble (1994)

Soviet banknotes were used in the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic after its formation in 1990. When the former Soviet republics began issuing their own currencies, Transnistria was flooded with Soviet rubles. In an attempt to protect its financial system, in July 1993, the Transnistrian government bought used Goznak-printed Soviet and Russian notes dated 1961–1992 which it modified by applying adhesive stamps bearing the image of General Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov, founder of Tiraspol and its corresponding denomination. These stamped notes replaced unstamped Soviet and Russian notes at par. It is thought that most uncirculated notes bearing these stickers were created after 1994 specifically for collectors.[2]

Second ruble (1994–2000)

The first, provisional issues were replaced in August 1994 by a new Transnistrian ruble, equal to 1000 old rubles. This currency consisted solely of banknotes and suffered from high inflation, necessitating the issue of notes overstamped with higher denominations. Although issued in 1994, some notes (50 to 5000 rubles) were issued dated 1993.

Banknotes
1994 Series
ValueDimensionsMain ColourImagesDescriptionDate of
ObverseReverseObverseReverseprintingissue
1 ruble 125 mm x 57 mm Green Alexander Suvorov Transnistrian Supreme Soviet 1994 1994
5 rubles Blue
10 rubles Red
50 rubles Dull Green Equestrian Statue of Alexander Suvorov in Tiraspol 1993 1993
100 rubles Brown
200 rubles Red violet Equestrian Statue of Alexander Suvorov in Tiraspol Transnistrian Supreme Soviet 1993 1994
500 rubles Blue Equestrian Statue of Alexander Suvorov in Tiraspol Transnistrian Supreme Soviet 1993 1994
1000 rubles Purple and red-violet Equestrian Statue of Alexander Suvorov in Tiraspol Transnistrian Supreme Soviet 1993 1994
1000 rubles Purple Alexander Suvorov Transnistrian Supreme Soviet 1994 1994
5000 rubles Black on deep olive-green Equestrian Statue of Alexander Suvorov in Tiraspol Transnistrian Supreme Soviet 1993 1995
10,000 rubles Green Alexander Suvorov overprinted on a 1 ruble note with "1oooo" only on front Transnistrian Supreme Soviet 1994 1996
10,000 rubles Green Alexander Suvorov overprinted on a 10 ruble note with "10ooo" on front and back Transnistrian Supreme Soviet 1994 1998
50,000 rubles Brown Bohdan Khmelnytsky Drama and Comedy theatre, Tiraspol 1995 1995
50,000 rubles Blue Alexander Suvorov overprinted on a 5 ruble note, with a holographic seal containing his equestrian statue in Tiraspol and the value "50000" on front Transnistrian Supreme Soviet 1994 1996
50,000 rubles Blue Alexander Suvorov overprinted on a 5 ruble note with "50ooo" on front and back Transnistrian Supreme Soviet 1994 1996
100,000 rubles Red Alexander Suvorov overprinted on a 10 ruble note with "100ooo" on front and back Transnistrian Supreme Soviet 1994 1996
500,000 rubles Purple on yellow Equestrian Statue of Alexander Suvorov in Tiraspol Transnistrian Supreme Soviet 1997 1997

Third ruble (2000–present)

In 2000, a new ruble was introduced at a rate of 1 new ruble = 1,000,000 old rubles. This new currency consists of both coins and banknotes.

Coins
Coin of the Transnistrian ruble
ImageValueTechnical parametersDescriptionDate of first mintingNotes
DiameterThicknessMassCompositionEdgeObverseReverse
1 kopeck15.9 mm1.5 mm0.62 gramsAluminum Plain/SmoothNational emblem of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (Transnitria), year of issueNumerical "1", inscription "КОПЕЙКА" between two ears of wheat2000Minted by the Mint of Poland (Mennica Polska); withdrawn from circulation in January 2009
5 kopecks17.9 mm1.4 mm0.7 gramsAluminum Plain/SmoothNational emblem of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (Transnitria), year of issueNumerical "5", inscription "КОПЕЕК" between two ears of wheat2000Minted by the Mint of Poland (Mennica Polska)
5 kopecks18 mm1.43 mm0.79 gramsAluminum Plain/SmoothNational emblem of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (Transnitria), year of issueNumerical "5", inscription "КОПЕЕК" between two ears of wheat2005Modified coat of arms; minted by the Tiraspol Mint (Тираспольский монетный двор)
5 kopecksNickel-plated steel Plain/SmoothNational emblem of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (Transnitria), year of issueNumerical "5", inscription "КОПЕЕК" between two ears of wheat2019Change of metallic composition; minted by the Tiraspol Mint (Тираспольский монетный двор)
10 kopecks20 mm1.5 mm1 gramAluminum Plain/SmoothNational emblem of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (Transnitria), year of issueNumerical "10", inscription "КОПЕЕК" between two ears of wheat2000Minted by the Mint of Poland (Mennica Polska)
10 kopecks20 mm1.5 mm1 gramAluminum Plain/SmoothNational emblem of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (Transnitria), year of issueNumerical "10", inscription "КОПЕЕК" between two ears of wheat2005Modified coat of arms; minted by the Tiraspol Mint (Тираспольский монетный двор)
10 kopecksNickel-plated steel Plain/SmoothNational emblem of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (Transnitria), year of issueNumerical "10", inscription "КОПЕЕК" between two ears of wheat2019Change of metallic composition; minted by the Tiraspol Mint (Тираспольский монетный двор)
25 kopecks17 mm2.15 gramsAluminum-Bronze Plain/SmoothNational emblem of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (Transnitria), year of issueNumerical "25", inscription "КОПЕЕК" inside a stylized laurel wreath2002Minted by the Mint of Poland (Mennica Polska)
25 kopecks17 mm1.36 mm2.2 gramsAluminum-Bronze Plain/SmoothNational emblem of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (Transnitria), year of issueNumerical "25", inscription "КОПЕЕК" inside a stylized laurel wreath2005Modified coat of arms; non-magnetic
25 kopecks17 mm1.46 mm2.1 gramsBronze-plated steel Plain/SmoothNational emblem of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (Transnitria), year of issueNumerical "25", inscription "КОПЕЕК" inside a stylized laurel wreath2005Modified coat of arms; magnetic; minted by the Tiraspol Mint (Тираспольский монетный двор)
25 kopecksBrass-plated steel Plain/SmoothNational emblem of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (Transnitria), year of issueNumerical "25", inscription "КОПЕЕК" inside a stylized laurel wreath2019Change of metallic composition; minted by the Tiraspol Mint (Тираспольский монетный двор)
50 kopecks19 mm1.45 mm2.75 gramsAluminum-Bronze Plain/SmoothNational emblem of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (Transnitria), year of issueNumerical "50", inscription "КОПЕЕК" inside a stylized laurel wreath2000Minted by the Mint of Poland (Mennica Polska)
50 kopecks18.9 mm2.70 gramsAluminum-Bronze Plain/SmoothNational emblem of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (Transnitria), year of issueNumerical "50", inscription "КОПЕЕК" inside a stylized laurel wreath2005Modified coat of arms; non-magnetic
50 kopecks19 mm1.45 mm2.80 gramsBronze-plated steel Plain/SmoothNational emblem of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (Transnitria), year of issueNumerical "50", inscription "КОПЕЕК" inside a stylized laurel wreath2005Modified coat of arms; magnetic; minted at the Tiraspol Mint (Тираспольский монетный двор)
50 kopecks19 mm1.45 mm2.80 gramsBronze-plated steel Plain/SmoothNational emblem of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (Transnitria), year of issueNumerical "50", inscription "КОПЕЕК" inside a stylized laurel wreath2005Modified coat of arms; magnetic; minted at the Tiraspol Mint (Тираспольский монетный двор)
50 kopecksBrass-plated steel Plain/SmoothNational emblem of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (Transnitria), year of issueNumerical "50", inscription "КОПЕЕК" inside a stylized laurel wreath2019Change of metallic composition; minted at the Tiraspol Mint (Тираспольский монетный двор)
1 ruble26 mm1.2 mm0.85 gramsComposite material Plain/SmoothNumerical "1", inscription "РУБЛЬ, ПРИДНЕСТРОВСКИЙ РЕСПУБЛИКАНСКИЙ БАНК", portrait of Alexander SuvorovLogo of the Transnistrian Republican Bank, year of issue and denomination in a repeated pattern2014Circular; Produced by Goznak of Russia
3 rubles31 mm1.2 mm1 gramComposite material Plain/SmoothNumerical "3", inscription "РУБЛЯ, ПРИДНЕСТРОВСКИЙ РЕСПУБЛИКАНСКИЙ БАНК", portrait of François Sainte de WollantLogo of the Transnistrian Republican Bank, year of issue and denomination in a repeated pattern2014Square-shaped (with rounded corners); Produced by Goznak of Russia
5 rubles28.6 mm1.20 mm1 gramComposite material Plain/SmoothNumerical "5", inscription "РУБЛЕЙ, ПРИДНЕСТРОВСКИЙ РЕСПУБЛИКАНСКИЙ БАНК", portrait of Pyotr Alexandrovich Rumyantsev-ZadunaiskyLogo of the Transnistrian Republican Bank, year of issue and denomination in a repeated pattern2014Pentagonal-shaped (with rounded corners); Produced by Goznak of Russia
10 rubles28 mm1.2 mm0.9 gramsComposite material Plain/SmoothNumerical "10", inscription "РУБЛЕЙ, ПРИДНЕСТРОВСКИЙ РЕСПУБЛИКАНСКИЙ БАНК", portrait of Catherine II, the GreatLogo of the Transnistrian Republican Bank, year of issue and denomination in a repeated pattern2014Hexagonal-shaped (with rounded corners); Produced by Goznak of Russia
  • 1 kopeck reverse
  • 10 kopecks obverse
  • all 2000 coins
  • 1 and 3 Rubles (2015/2017), used for non-circulating commemorative coins

Coins are of 1 to 50 kopecks and are made from aluminium or copper-zinc and are similar to Soviet-era coinage. The 1 kopeck coins were withdrawn from circulation in January 2009.

On 22 August 2014, the Transnistrian Republican Bank issued coins made of composite materials and come in denominations of 1-, 3-, 5- and 10 rubles.[3]

Commemorative coins
Commemorative coin depicting Pyotr Vershigora

Since 2000, the Transnistrian Republican Bank has issued many commercial commemorative coins made from silver and gold. Their mintage numbers were very low, ranging between 500 and 5,000. Topics included for example "Ancient fortresses on the river Dniester", "The Outstanding people Transdniestria" and "Red book Transdniestria". A complete listing can be found on the website of the "Transnistrian Republican Bank".[4]

Mint

When it was founded, Transnistria did not have its own mint. Thus a foreign mint had to be found to strike Transnistrian coins. The Mint of Poland (Mennica Polska) in Warsaw was selected.[5] Coins dated 2000 were struck in Warsaw and transported via Ukraine to Transnistria in trucks belonging to the Transnistrian Republican Bank.

The Moldovan government was not pleased with this situation, since they viewed it as a de facto recognition of Transnistria. In October 2001, Moldovan president Vladimir Voronin addressed the issue with his Polish counterpart.[6]

The Polska Mennica (Mint of Poland) responded to the criticism by stating that because the Transnistrian ruble is not internationally recognized as a currency, they were producing tokens and not coins, which is normal business for mints.[7]

The conflict came to a height when in December 2004, Ukrainian customs confiscated a truck with US$117,000 worth of Transnistrian coins near Lviv. The coins were handed over to Moldovan authorities, who in response again protested with the Polish government.

The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs en state property wrote another letter to Polska Mennica (Mint of Poland) in April 2005. They warned that continued production of Transnistrian coins would endanger relations with Ukraine and Moldova and damage the image of Poland abroad. The Polska Mennica (Mint of Poland) bowed to the pressure and cancelled its contract with Transnistria that same month.

For Transnistria there was then no other solution but to strike future coins themselves. Thus, on 18 November 2005, the Tiraspol Mint (Тираспольский монетный двор) was opened in the presence of President Igor Smirnov.

Banknotes

Notes are issued by the Transnistrian Republican Bank (Приднестровский Республиканский Банк) in 2000 as part of a currency reform, with 1 ruble equal to 1 million (1,000,000) of the old rubles. The notes come in denominations of 1-, 5-, 10-, 25-, 50-, 100-, 200 and 500 rubles.

2000 Series
2000 Series
ValueDimensionsMain ColourImagesDescriptionDate of
ObverseReverseObverseReverseprintingissue
1 ruble 129 × 56 mm Orange Alexander Suvorov Chițcani monument 2000 2000
5 rubles Blue KVINT brandy factory
10 rubles Brown Novo-Nyametsky Monastery
25 rubles Red Bender Castle
50 rubles 129 × 60 mm Green Taras Shevchenko Presidential palace / government building in Tiraspol
100 rubles Purple Dimitrie Cantemir The Cathedral of Christmas, Tiraspol
200 rubles 135 × 64 mm Dark brown Peter Rumyantsev-Zadunaisky Battle of Gross-Jägersdorf, July 21, 1757 2004 2004
2012
500 rubles 140 × 68 mm Dull green Catherine II The decree of the creation of Tiraspol by Catherine II, and the plan of a fortress

2007 Series

In 2007, a new series replaced the above banknotes of denominations 1 to 100 rubles. The new notes have the same themes but a new design and improved security features.

2007 Series
ValueDimensionsMain ColourImagesDescriptionDate of
ObverseReverseObverseReverseprintingissue
1 ruble 129 × 55 mm Brown Alexander Suvorov Chiţcani monument 2007 2007
2012
5 rubles Blue KVINT brandy factory
10 rubles Green/Black Novo-Nyametsky Monastery
25 rubles Red Bender Castle
50 rubles 129 x 56 mm Cyan Taras Shevchenko Presidential palace / government building in Tiraspol
100 rubles Purple Dimitrie Cantemir Church of the Nativity, Tiraspol

Commemorative banknotes

Along with the issuance of banknotes for general circulation, the Transnistrian Republican Bank also issues commemorative banknotes focusing on the country's history and events relating to its development as an independent nation. The commemorative banknotes consist of an overprint applied on the note and are issued both for general circulation and also sold in limited numbers for the numismatic market.[8]

Exchange rates

The currency is de facto pegged to the United States dollar. The central bank determines each workday whether it is appropriate to devalue the currency against the U.S. dollar.

As of 20 March 2019[9] (Transnistrian rubles per foreign currency unit)

On 11 February 2009, the exchange rate was set to 9 rubles per dollar. It was changed to 9.40 rubles on 5 March 2010, 9.80 on 24 September 2010, and 10.20 on 14 December 2010. By 2013, the value of the ruble had dropped to 11.10 rubles per dollar. This was further changed to 11.30 per dollar on 16 March 2016. On 17 June 2017, the currency was devalued to 15 rubles per dollar. It was set to 16 per dollar on 12 January 2018. The most recent change was made on 5 April 2018, when it was set to 16.10 rubles per dollar.

Acceptance outside Transnistria

The Transnistrian Ruble is generally not accepted as currency outside of Transnistria, although some bus companies with connections to Tiraspol accept Transnistrian rubles at the Chișinău bus station as well as local shops in Varnița.

References
  1. Условия проведения операций "валютный своп" USD/RUP (in Russian), Transnistrian Republican Bank, retrieved 2011-09-21
  2. Transnistrian Republican Bank. Available at:http://www.cbpmr.net/?id=33&lang=en
  3. Official poster of Transnistrian Republican Bank with images and description.
  4. Transnistrian Republican Bank
  5. "Polska Mennica bije monety dla Naddniestrza". 2005-01-13.
  6. http://www.transnistria.info/independent-transnistria-news/tiraspol-designated-the-arrest-of-a-batch-of-the-transdniestrian-coins-as-a-provocation.html%5B%5D
  7. http://www.mennica.com.pl/dla-inwestorow/sprawozdania-rn.html, sprawozdania Rady Nadzorczej Mennicy (2005).
  8. "A gallery of the banknotes of Transnistria, including commemorative banknotes". www.banknote.ws. Bank Note Museum. Retrieved 2020-12-07.
  9. "News". www.cbpmr.net.
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