Why Гознак and not Госзнак?
Гознак: A name with history
Goznak is the name of the Russian state-owned company that produces banknotes, coins, passports, stamps, and other security products. Many consider the name a shortened spelling of “Госзнак,” some even a misspelling. In fact, the unusual spelling dates back to 1919 and the telegraph industry of that era.
Goznak: A company with a long tradition
The history of Goznak dates back to 1818. On August 21, 1818, Emperor Alexander I authorized the organization of the “Экспедиция заготовления государственных бумаг,” the expedition for the production of state papers. This date follows the Julian calendar then in use in Russia and corresponds to September 2, 1818, in the Gregorian calendar.
Over time, this institution evolved into the central state-owned manufacturer of banknotes, coins, passports, stamps and other security products.
Today’s company, AO «Goznak», has its registered office in Saint Petersburg. The company’s management is located in Moscow.
Is Гознак an abbreviation?
The name is often understood as a short form of “государственный знак”, which translates roughly to “state sign”.
Historically, however, Гознак did not simply originate as a regular shortened form of this expression. The name derives from a telegraphic designation used in 1919 for the newly created administration. This designation subsequently entered common usage and eventually became the company’s permanent name.
The Russian word “знак” means, among other things, “sign”, “mark”, or “brand”.
Why is the “C” missing?
On July 6, 1919, the People’s Commissariat for Finance of the RSFSR approved the decree on the “Управление фабриками заготовления государственных знаков”, the administration of factories for the production of state symbols. It initially united factories in Moscow, Petrograd, and Penza.
The telegraphic name ГОЗНАК was used for this new administration.
Linguistically, one might initially expect the form ГОСЗНАК. No official explanation for the missing “С” has been recorded. It is often suggested that clusters of consecutive consonants were avoided in telegraphic designations to ensure the designation was understood as clearly as possible during transmission. What is certain is that the short form ГОЗНАК was used without the additional “С”.
From telegram name to company name
The name Гознак has been used since 1919. The history of the company itself, however, dates back to 1818.
Goznak views the expedition founded in 1818 and the present-day company as parts of a shared historical development. Therefore, the company’s history and the history of its name begin at different times.
Why Goznak is relevant for coin collectors
For coin collectors, Goznak is particularly important because both the Moscow Mint and the Saint Petersburg Mint now belong to the company.
The Leningrad Mint was incorporated into Goznak in 1941. Today, the mints in Moscow and Saint Petersburg produce, among other things, circulating coins as well as commemorative and investment coins for the Bank of Russia. They also produce medals and other numismatic products.
Conclusion
The spelling Гознак is not a typo. The name originates from a telegraphic designation used in 1919 for the newly created factory administration.
There is no official explanation for the missing “C”. The common explanation refers to the requirements of telegraphic transmission, which demanded short and unambiguous designations.
While the name Гознак has been used since 1919, the company’s history dates back to 1818.
Updated on 26.09.2026: This entry has been professionally clarified and supplemented with the founding date of 1818, the origin of the name Гознак in 1919 and the affiliation of the mints.
About the author
Larissa Wasserthal is the co-founder of Wasserthal RareCoin.Store. She presents numismatic topics in an understandable way and combines historical background with a focus on modern collector coins.
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