russian coins

MAC CASC DEID-1, MAC CASC DEID-29 – DEID-90

Object type Russian coins

Culture/period Contemporary

Materials bronze

Technique coining

Mint

Production date 1813

Museum Museu d'Arqueologia de Catalunya - CASC

Current location

Archaeological site Deltebre I

Township Deltebre (Europa, Espanya, Catalunya, Tarragona, Baix Ebre)

Dimensions 41 – 48 x 3 – 6 mm

Description

Hidden in the hold of the ship were 62 5-kopek coins minted in several years of the reign of Catherine II of Russia (1762-1796). What were these Russian coins doing on a British ship? In the context of the Peninsular War, the Spaniards and the British were allies. However, especially on account of religious differences, the English preferred to enlist crews of the Orthodox religion for their ships. These coins were most likely used to pay this crew of Russian origin.

Omeka ID 3075