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. But why is the name Goznak and not Gosznak, even though the latter spelling seems linguistically more logical? The answer lies in the telegraph of 1919.
Гознак (Goznak) is a term that will be familiar to many people in Russia and beyond. But what exactly is behind this name? And why is it so often misspelled? In this blog post, we delve into the fascinating history of Гознак and reveal the secrets behind his unique spelling.
Goznak: A company with a long tradition
Goznak is a Russian state-owned company headquartered in Moscow with a long and rich history. It was founded in 1818 as the “Экспедиция заготовления государственных бумаг” (Expedition for the Production of State Papers). Over time, the company developed into a major producer of banknotes, coins , passports, stamps, and other securities for the Russian state, as well as for foreign states and companies.
Is Гознак an abbreviation?
The name is often understood as an abbreviation for “государственный знак,” roughly translated as “state sign.” However, according to Гознак, it is not a classic abbreviation. Originally, Гознак was a telegram address that subsequently became established and eventually the official name. The Russian word “знак” means “sign” or “mark.”
Why is the “C” missing?
On July 6, 1919, the “Управление фабриками заготовления государственных знаков”, the administration of the factories producing state signs, was created. At the same time, the new organization received the telegram address ГОЗНАК.
The linguistically obvious form would have been ГОСЗНАК. However, since telegram addresses were generally amended to avoid several consecutive consonants, the “С” was omitted. ГОСЗНАК thus became ГОЗНАК. This initially purely practical spelling became the company’s permanent name.
Important: The previous sentence “with a C instead of an O” is incorrect and must be removed. It refers to an additional “C”, not the exchange of “C” and “O”.
From Telegram address to official name
The name Гознак has been used since 1919. However, the company’s history dates back to 1818, when the “Экспедиция заготовления государственных бумаг” was founded. 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 the company owns both the Moscow Mint and the Saint Petersburg Mint. In addition to circulating coins, commemorative coins , medals, and other numismatic issues are produced there.
Conclusion
The spelling Гознак is neither a typo nor a common abbreviation. The name originated in 1919 as a telegram address, where the “С” was omitted from the obvious form Госзнак. From this practical solution, the company name still used today eventually developed.
Updated on June 18, 2026: This article has been professionally clarified and supplemented with additional information on the origin of the name Гознак and its significance for coin collectors.
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.
