Selected Civilian and Political
Items from Russia during the Days of Terror
(1930-1937)

  

 

No discussion about a nations military can be complete without showing the civilian life of the time. This is because no military exists in a vacuum, it is a product of its times. This section will try to give the reader a glimpse of what life was like during the height of Stalin's Purges. It will feature pictures, history, stories, and other facets of Soviet civilian life during the period between 1930 and 1937.

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Five Ruble Note dated 1934

Here you can see a rather ordinary looking 5 ruble note featuring the state seal.

In each of the four boxes along the bottom there is text written in four different languages - clearly showing the multi-ethnic nature of the Soviet Union of those days.

Like many banknotes of the day it has many intricate patterns of differing colors on both its front and back to prevent counterfeiting.

 

  

One Ruble Note dated 1937

This banknote features a picture of V.I. Lenin on its face.  It is a bit more artistic than its predecessor above, but not as much as the ruble series that would follow over the next few years.  The serial number is visible on the bottom of the central field: 506277 GN.

It has the usual multi-color patterns on the back to prevent counterfeiting.

 

 

Silver Kopeks of 1930

This example is a fifteen kopek coin minted in 1930.  These are nearly the last Soviet coins minted of precious metals.  In 1931 The Soviet government began making coins out of various non-precious alloys instead of gold, silver, and copper.

Its front shows the denomination and the date of minting surrounded by laurels.

The opposite side shows the state seal surrounded by a ring of Cyrillic text.

  

 

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Front Back
 

This example is a ten kopek coin minted in 1930.

This simple design also only shows the denomination, date of minting, and surrounding laurels.

The reverse shows the state seal surrounded by Cyrillic writing.

  

 

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Front Back
 

 

 

Alloy Kopeks of 1932-1933

This example is a twenty kopek coin minted in 1933.  These coins were composed of metal alloys.

Its front shows a worker, the date of minting, and the denomination in the center of a large shield.  These elements are surrounded by a ring of Cyrillic text.

The reverse shows the state seal surrounded by Cyrillic writing.

  

 

Coming Soon!!

  

 

Coming Soon!!
Front Back
 

This example is a ten kopek coin minted in 1932.

It is virtually identical in composition to the coin above.  The front shows a worker, the date of minting, and the denomination in the center of a large shield.  These elements are surrounded by a ring of Cyrillic text.

The reverse shows the state seal surrounded by Cyrillic writing.

  

 

Coming Soon!!

 

  

 

Coming Soon!!

 
Front Back
 

 

 

Alloy Kopek of 1936

This example is a twenty kopek coin minted in 1936.  Like their predecessor, this coin was composed of metal alloys.

The front of the coin has the denomination centered within an octagonal shape.  The date of minting is directly below this.  Sheaves of wheat can be seen on the outer ring surrounding the octagonal shape.

The reverse shows the state seal above the letters CCCP.

  

 

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Front Back
 

 

 

Communist Party ID Book

This little booklet was the pathway to power for many otherwise normal citizens. Only those with party membership could expect to advance in the worker's paradise.  This Party ID book is dated 1933.

Outside Front Cover

Inside of ID Book