Transnistria Set of 4 Composite Rubles 1, 3, 5 & 10 Rubles 2014 UNC
The Transnistria 2014 Plastic Rubles Set is one of the most unusual modern currency sets in the world.
The complete set contains four denominations:
- 1 Ruble – Alexander Suvorov – round – yellow/brown
- 3 Rubles – François Sainte de Wollant – square – green
- 5 Rubles – Pyotr Rumyantsev-Zadunaisky – pentagonal – blue
- 10 Rubles – Catherine II the Great – hexagonal – red/orange
All four were introduced by the Transnistrian Republican Bank on 22 August 2014 as circulating legal tender. Cbpmr
Historical Background
In 2014, the Transnistrian Republican Bank introduced an experimental form of currency manufactured from a special composite material developed by Russia’s Goznak.
The material was known as Plamet. Interestingly, Goznak described these pieces as something that was neither a conventional banknote nor a conventional coin, although the Transnistrian Republican Bank officially introduced them as composite-material coins. Cbpmr
Unlike ordinary metal coins, they have a smooth, hard and slightly translucent surface. According to the issuing bank, they resist bending, retain their shape and produce a distinctive sound when tapped. Cbpmr
Technical Specifications
| Denomination | Portrait | Shape | Colour |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Ruble | Alexander Suvorov | Round | Yellow-brown |
| 3 Rubles | François Sainte de Wollant | Square | Green |
| 5 Rubles | Pyotr Rumyantsev-Zadunaisky | Pentagon | Blue |
| 10 Rubles | Catherine II | Hexagon | Red-orange |
Year: 2014
Condition: Uncirculated (UNC)
Issuer: Transnistrian Republican Bank
Currency: Transnistrian Ruble
Material: Special composite / plastic-like material
Manufacturer: Goznak, Russia
Series: AA
Type: Circulating composite currency
Set: 4 pieces
The four different shapes were deliberately paired with different colours, making the denominations particularly easy to distinguish. Chiefa Coins
1 Ruble – Alexander Suvorov
The 1 Ruble is circular and predominantly yellow-brown.
It depicts Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov, the famous Russian military commander closely associated with the history of the region.
The reverse displays the PRB bank logo, denomination and 2014 date within a repeating diamond-pattern background. Chiefa Coins
3 Rubles – François Sainte de Wollant
The unusual 3 Rubles denomination is green and square with rounded corners.
It features François Sainte de Wollant (Franz de Volan), a military engineer who worked in the Russian Empire and was involved in the planning and development of cities and fortifications in the region.
Its reverse follows the same general design concept, with the PRB logo, denomination and year. IPN
5 Rubles – Pyotr Rumyantsev
The 5 Rubles is blue and has a distinctive pentagonal shape.
Its portrait depicts Pyotr Alexandrovich Rumyantsev-Zadunaisky, one of the prominent Russian military commanders of the 18th century.
The unusual five-sided format makes this one of the most visually distinctive pieces in the set. Chiefa Coins
10 Rubles – Catherine II
The highest denomination in the set is the 10 Rubles, produced in red-orange tones and a six-sided shape.
It depicts Catherine II – Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia from 1762 to 1796.
As with the other denominations, its reverse incorporates the Transnistrian Republican Bank logo, denomination and 2014 date within a geometric background. Chiefa Coins
Security Features
Despite their small size and unconventional material, these pieces incorporated sophisticated security technology.
The Transnistrian Republican Bank documented features including:
- Contour microtext
- Direct microtext
- Security fibres
- Graphic security elements
- Colourless security elements
- Elements visible under ultraviolet light
- Features with selective absorption in the infrared spectrum
- Slightly translucent composite substrate Cbpmr
This combination of coin-like durability with security techniques more commonly associated with banknotes is one of the most interesting characteristics of the series.
Why Add This Set to Your Collection?
The Transnistria 2014 set of 1, 3, 5 and 10 Rubles is particularly interesting because it does not fit neatly into the traditional distinction between a coin and a banknote.
The set offers four denominations, four colours, four shapes and four different historical personalities while using the same experimental composite technology.
It is an excellent addition for collectors of unusual world currencies, polymer and composite money, Transnistrian currency, experimental banknotes, modern numismatic innovations and complete UNC sets.
