The Sable

Obverse

the two-headed eagle designed by artist I. Bilibin. The inscriptions along the rim: at the top — «25 РУБЛЕЙ 1997 г.» (25 RUBLES 1997), at the bottom — «БАНК РОССИИ» (BANK OF RUSSIA). The letters below indicate the metal sign, the fineness, the fine metal content and the mint trademark.

Reverse

the picture of a sable on a tree-branch. In the background – three horses harnessed abreast and pulling a sleigh, to the left – a Russian village with a church, above – the sky with stars and the half-moon. The inscription along the rim: «СОХРАНИМ НАШ МИР» (PROTECT OUR WORLD).

Authors

The artist: A.V. Baklanov
The sculptor: A.A. Dolgopolova
St. Petersburg Mint (ЛМД)
The edge: 252 corrugations

The sable is a nimble smart small animal with extremely beautiful fur. It inhabits coniferous woods stretching from the northern Urals towards the Pacific. The Russians have been hunting this animal since ancient times. The sable was depicted on the coat of arms of the old Russian towns – Irkutsk, Yakutsk and Verkhoturye.