USSR 1 Ruble 1990 “Janis Rainis – 125th Anniversary of Birth”

USSR 1 Ruble 1990 “Janis Rainis – 125th Anniversary of Birth” – Proof in Original Gosbank Holder

Description (short narrative)

Commemorative 1‑rouble coin of the Soviet Union issued in 1990 for the 125th anniversary of Latvian poet and playwright Jānis Rainis’s birth. Struck in copper‑nickel with mirrored fields and frosted devices, this coin remains sealed in the original State Bank of the USSR plastic holder with green insert and gold lettering, appealing to collectors of Soviet, Latvian, and literary history.

Key details

• Country / Issuer: USSR (Soviet Union) – State Bank of the USSR

• Year of issue: 1990

• Face value: 1 Ruble

• Series / Theme: 125th Anniversary of the Birth of Jānis Rainis

• Metal: Copper‑nickel (non‑precious)

• Weight: approx. 12.8 g

• Diameter: 31 mm

• Edge: Lettered edge with Cyrillic inscription, medal alignment (↑↑)

• Finish: Proof / prooflike in original sealed plastic (uncirculated)

• Mint: Moscow Mint (MMD)

• Mintage (proof): about 400,000 pieces

Design

• Obverse: National coat of arms of the Soviet Union with hammer‑and‑sickle and globe, star above, and wreath of wheat; inscription “СССР” and denomination “1 РУБЛЬ 1990” below.

• Reverse: Portrait of Jānis Rainis with his name in Cyrillic along the rim and facsimile signature below, plus dates of birth and death, marking the 125th anniversary of his birth.

Packaging / condition

• Original packaging: Clear hard plastic State Bank of the USSR holder with green textured insert and gold Cyrillic inscriptions including “ПАМЯТНАЯ МОНЕТА” (“commemorative coin”).

• Condition: Coin shows bright mirrored fields and sharp devices; holder exhibits typical surface scratches, corner rub, and contact marks from storage but remains intact and fully legible