The Transnistrian ruble (alternatively rubla or rouble; , ; ; ) is the currency of the internationally unrecognized state of Transnistria. It is divided into 100 kopecks.
Since Transnistria is a polity with no credible international recognition and its territory is formally part of Moldova, its currency has no ISO 4217 code, and thus Transnistria cannot participate in any global card payment processing network. Cards are accepted, but only on the Russian developed MIR network. However, unofficially some Transnistrian organisations, such as Agroprombank and Gazprombank, used the code PRB, a code reserved for Puerto Rico (ISO 3166-1 country code "PR"). The Transnistrian Republican Bank sometimes uses the code RUP, a code reserved for Russia (ISO 3166-1 country code "RU").
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 and modified these notes by applying adhesive stamps bearing the image of General Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov, founder of Tiraspol, and the notes' 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.Transnistrian Republican Bank. Available at:http://www.cbpmr.net/?id=33&lang=en
Second ruble (1994–2000)
The first, provisional issues were replaced in August 1994 by a new ruble, equal to 1,000 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 5,000 rubles) were issued dated 1993.
Banknotes
1994 Series Value Dimensions Main Colour Images Description Date of Obverse Reverse Obverse Reverse printing issue 1 ruble 125 mm x 57 mm Green Alexander Suvorov Transnistrian Supreme Soviet1994 5 rubles Blue 10 rubles Red 50 rubles Dull green Equestrian Statue of Alexander Suvorov in Tiraspol19931993 100 rubles Brown 200 rubles Red violet 1994 500 rubles Blue 1,000 rubles Purple and red-violet Purple Alexander Suvorov 1994 5,000 rubles Black on deep olive-green Equestrian Statue of Alexander Suvorov in Tiraspol 1993 1995 10,000 rubles Green Alexander Suvorov overprinted on a 1 ruble note with "10000" only on front 1994 1996 Alexander Suvorov overprinted on a 1 ruble note with "10000" on front and back 1998 50,000 rubles Brown Bohdan Khmelnytsky Drama and Comedy theatre, Tiraspol 1995 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 Alexander Suvorov overprinted on a 5 ruble note with "50000" on front and back 100,000 rubles Red Alexander Suvorov overprinted on a 10 ruble note with "100000" on front and back 500,000 rubles Purple on yellow Equestrian Statue of Alexander Suvorov in Tiraspol 1997 1997
Third ruble (2000–present)
In 2000, a new ruble was introduced at a rate of 1 new ruble = 1,000,000 second rubles. This new currency consists of both coins and banknotes.
Coins
Coin of the Transnistrian ruble Image Value Technical parameters Description Date of first minting Notes Diameter Thickness Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse 1 kopeck 15.9 mm 1.5 mm 0.62 grams Aluminum Plain/Smooth National emblem of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (Transnistria), year of issue Numerical "1", inscription "КОПЕЙКА" between two ears of wheat 2000 Minted by the Mint of Poland (Mennica Polska); withdrawn from circulation in January 2009 5 kopecks 17.9 mm 1.4 mm 0.7 grams Aluminum Plain/Smooth National emblem of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (Transnistria), year of issue Numerical "5", inscription "КОПЕЕК" between two ears of wheat 2000 Minted by the Mint of Poland (Mennica Polska) 5 kopecks 18 mm 1.43 mm 0.79 grams Aluminum Plain/Smooth National emblem of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (Transnistria), year of issue Numerical "5", inscription "КОПЕЕК" between two ears of wheat 2005 Modified coat of arms; minted by the Tiraspol Mint (Тираспольский монетный двор) 5 kopecks Nickel-plated steel Plain/Smooth National emblem of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (Transnistria), year of issue Numerical "5", inscription "КОПЕЕК" between two ears of wheat 2019 Change of metallic composition; minted by the Tiraspol Mint (Тираспольский монетный двор) 10 kopecks 20 mm 1.5 mm 1 gram Aluminum Plain/Smooth National emblem of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (Transnistria), year of issue Numerical "10", inscription "КОПЕЕК" between two ears of wheat 2000 Minted by the Mint of Poland (Mennica Polska) 10 kopecks 20 mm 1.5 mm 1 gram Aluminum Plain/Smooth National emblem of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (Transnistria), year of issue Numerical "10", inscription "КОПЕЕК" between two ears of wheat 2005 Modified coat of arms; minted by the Tiraspol Mint (Тираспольский монетный двор) 10 kopecks Nickel-plated steel Plain/Smooth National emblem of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (Transnistria), year of issue Numerical "10", inscription "КОПЕЕК" between two ears of wheat 2019 Change of metallic composition; minted by the Tiraspol Mint (Тираспольский монетный двор) 25 kopecks 17 mm 2.15 grams Aluminum-Bronze Plain/Smooth National emblem of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (Transnistria), year of issue Numerical "25", inscription "КОПЕЕК" inside a stylized laurel wreath 2002 Minted by the Mint of Poland (Mennica Polska) 25 kopecks 17 mm 1.36 mm 2.2 grams Aluminum-Bronze Plain/Smooth National emblem of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (Transnistria), year of issue Numerical "25", inscription "КОПЕЕК" inside a stylized laurel wreath 2005 Modified coat of arms; non-magnetic 25 kopecks 17 mm 1.46 mm 2.1 grams Bronze-plated steel Plain/Smooth National emblem of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (Transnistria), year of issue Numerical "25", inscription "КОПЕЕК" inside a stylized laurel wreath 2005 Modified coat of arms; magnetic; minted by the Tiraspol Mint (Тираспольский монетный двор) 25 kopecks Brass-plated steel Plain/Smooth National emblem of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (Transnistria), year of issue Numerical "25", inscription "КОПЕЕК" inside a stylized laurel wreath 2019 Change of metallic composition; minted by the Tiraspol Mint (Тираспольский монетный двор) 50 kopecks 19 mm 1.45 mm 2.75 grams Aluminum-Bronze Plain/Smooth National emblem of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (Transnistria), year of issue Numerical "50", inscription "КОПЕЕК" inside a stylized laurel wreath 2000 Minted by the Mint of Poland (Mennica Polska) 50 kopecks 18.9 mm 2.70 grams Aluminum-Bronze Plain/Smooth National emblem of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (Transnistria), year of issue Numerical "50", inscription "КОПЕЕК" inside a stylized laurel wreath 2005 Modified coat of arms; non-magnetic 50 kopecks 19 mm 1.45 mm 2.80 grams Bronze-plated steel Plain/Smooth National emblem of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (Transnistria), year of issue Numerical "50", inscription "КОПЕЕК" inside a stylized laurel wreath 2005 Modified coat of arms; magnetic; minted at the Tiraspol Mint (Тираспольский монетный двор) 50 kopecks 19 mm 1.45 mm 2.80 grams Bronze-plated steel Plain/Smooth National emblem of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (Transnistria), year of issue Numerical "50", inscription "КОПЕЕК" inside a stylized laurel wreath 2005 Modified coat of arms; magnetic; minted at the Tiraspol Mint (Тираспольский монетный двор) 50 kopecks Brass-plated steel Plain/Smooth National emblem of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (Transnistria), year of issue Numerical "50", inscription "КОПЕЕК" inside a stylized laurel wreath 2019 Change of metallic composition; minted at the Tiraspol Mint (Тираспольский монетный двор) 1 ruble 26 mm 1.2 mm 0.85 grams Plastic - Composite material Plain/Smooth Numerical "1", inscription "РУБЛЬ, ПРИДНЕСТРОВСКИЙ РЕСПУБЛИКАНСКИЙ БАНК", portrait of Alexander Suvorov Logo of the Transnistrian Republican Bank, year of issue and denomination in a repeated pattern 2014 Circular; Produced by Goznak of Russia 3 rubles 31 mm 1.2 mm 1 gram Plastic - Composite material Plain/Smooth Numerical "3", inscription "РУБЛЯ, ПРИДНЕСТРОВСКИЙ РЕСПУБЛИКАНСКИЙ БАНК", portrait of François Sainte de Wollant Square-shaped (with rounded corners); Produced by Goznak of Russia 5 rubles 28.6 mm 1.20 mm Numerical "5", inscription "РУБЛЕЙ, ПРИДНЕСТРОВСКИЙ РЕСПУБЛИКАНСКИЙ БАНК", portrait of Pyotr Alexandrovich Rumyantsev-Zadunaisky Pentagonal-shaped (with rounded corners); Produced by Goznak of Russia 10 rubles 28 mm 1.2 mm 0.9 grams Numerical "10", inscription "РУБЛЕЙ, ПРИДНЕСТРОВСКИЙ РЕСПУБЛИКАНСКИЙ БАНК", portrait of Catherine II, the Great Hexagonal-shaped (with rounded corners); Produced by Goznak of Russia
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 and demonetized 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.Official poster of Transnistrian Republican Bank with images and description.
Commemorative coins
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 of Transdniestria" and "Red book of Transdniestria". A complete listing can be found on the website of the Transnistrian Republican Bank.
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. 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 displeased 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.http://www.transnistria.info/independent-transnistria-news/tiraspol-designated-the-arrest-of-a-batch-of-the-transdniestrian-coins-as-a-provocation.html
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.http://www.mennica.com.pl/dla-inwestorow/sprawozdania-rn.html, sprawozdania Rady Nadzorczej Mennicy (2005).
The conflict came to a head 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 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 make future coins locally. Thus, on 18 November 2005, the Tiraspol Mint (Тираспольский монетный двор) was opened in the presence of President Igor Smirnov.
Banknotes