The Birth of SPB: The History of the Saint Petersburg Mint Mark
A long tradition of coin minting
The Mint in the Peter and Paul Fortress in Saint Petersburg is one of the oldest and largest mints in the world. As part of the renowned Russian company Goznak, it has a long tradition of coin production. Today it produces a wide range of coins, including commemorative and anniversary coins made of precious metals, and is also a leader in the production of awards, orders and medals.
The secret behind SPB
A characteristic feature of older coins minted in Saint Petersburg are letter symbols such as СПБ, СПМ,СПМД, СП, ЛМД and others. The most famous and significant of these abbreviations is “SPB”.
The appearance of “SPB” on coins marks the year the mint was founded and serves as its identifying mark. In 1724, the year of its foundation, the abbreviation “spb” first appeared on ruble coins.
The origin of this abbreviation is particularly interesting. Unlike usual practices, where only the first letters of a place name are used, here the name “Peterburg” was divided into two parts. This unique abbreviation has survived to this day and can also be found in many modern brands.
Development of the abbreviation over time
The spelling has changed over time. Today, it is written more in capital letters without dots, which makes it easier to write. However, the use of “СПБ” or “СПб” is mainly common in informal contexts.
Until 1914, “spb” served as the identifying symbol of the St. Petersburg mint. The first product of the mint was the ruble, which was nicknamed “sunflower” because of the sun motif depicted on the reverse.
During the time when the city was called Petrograd, the mint was renamed accordingly and the abbreviations on the coins were adjusted. After the renaming to Leningrad, further changes to the mint marks followed.
Conclusion
The abbreviation “SPB” is more than just a sequence of letters. It is a reflection of the rich history of the Saint Petersburg Mint and a testament to the creativity and skill of Russian coin makers. To this day, it remains an important part of Russian coinage and a symbol of the long tradition of coin minting in Saint Petersburg .
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