#beard token

[amp-memories-and-experiences]

[camfoc]

Russian token proving that the beard tax had been paid.

“In 1698, Emperor Peter I of Russia instituted a beard tax to bring Russian society in line with Western European models. To enforce the ban on beards, the tsar empowered police to forcibly and publicly shave those who refused to pay the tax. 

Resistance to going clean shaven was widespread with many believing that it was a religious requirement for a man to wear a beard. 

Those who paid the tax were required to carry a "beard token" (Бородовой знак). This was a copper or silver token with a Russian Eagle on the reverse and on the obverse the lower part of a face with nose, mouth, whiskers, and beard. Several different versions were minted between the issuance of the decree and its lifting in 1772. The common round version was inscribed with the words "money taken" (ДЕНГИ ВЗѦТЫ) on the obverse and the date in Cyrillic numerals (҂АѰЕ ГОДѸ, "Year 1705") on the reverse. A rhomboid version issued in 1725 was smooth on the reverse with the phrase "beard tax taken" (СБОРОДЫ ПОШЛИНА ВЗЯТА) on the obverse and "the beard is a superfluous burden" (БОРОДА ЛИШНѦѦ ТѦГОТА) on the edge.”

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Nice Fika pocket dump with the Beard Token from Johan (@joda73_) in Sweden. You can get your own at beardtoken.com

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A pocket dump still life with the Beard Token present by Scott, the #pipingbeardsman. Get your own at beardtoken.com

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Terry Cotten with his Beard Tokens. You can get your own at beardtoken.com

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Phil Gordon with hid Beard Token. Send in your photos or post them somewhere with the #beardtoken hashtag. You can also get your own Beard Token at beardtoken.com

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Pocket dump still life with 2 Beard Tokens from @dubsbox_ig. You can get your own at beardtoken.com.

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A nice still life photo from Adam Barraclough with the Beard Token in the lower right. You can get your own Beard Token at beardtoken.com