21 mm diameter, 8 g, gold 99.9%, flat edge Obverse: denomination "5 RUBLEI" (Cyrillic), coat of arms of the self proclaimed republic of Transnistria (bearing hammer and sickle), inscription "PRIDNESTROVSKII RESPUBLIKANSKII BANK" (in Cyrillic and Russian) meaning "[TRANS] NISTRIAN REPUBLICAN BANK", year 2009, at left mintmarks, at right the gold fineness - Au999	Reverse: laureate bust of empress Catherine II, ensign above the left shoulder, Cyrillic inscriptions IMPERATRITZA EKATERINA II 1729-1796 and, on a ribbon, ROSSIA V ISTORII PRIDNESTROVIA, meaning "EMPRESS CATHERINE II" and "RUSSIA IN THE HISTORY OF (TRANS)NISTRIA" Mintage: 250 coins

The coin belongs to a series named "Russia in the history of (Trans)Nistria". The series also comprises the 100 rubles 2007 coins with field marshal Pyotr Rumyantsev, with field marshal Grigory Potyomkin and with general in chief Piotr Panin and from 2008 with field marshal Peter Wittgenstein.

The Russian Empire reached the river Nistru in 1792, the year in which the entire Transnistria entered under Russian administration. The territorial extention to the line of Nistru was achieved under the command of marshal Suvorov that succeeded in pushing back the Ottoman Empire yet farther. These were the times of empress Catherine II, hence the theme of the coin.

This is a coin issued by Transnistria. Knowing one might rightfully be wondering what is Transnistria about, we tried to depict on the site the issue as best as we could. Click the links below to clarify yourself.

For further information confront the Modern and contemporary history section inside the Brief and Comprehensive History of Romanians and Romania page.

Why Transnistrian Coins on Romanian Coins?

Because Transnistrian coins are held in their pockets and used as such by Romanian speaking Romanians on their native land.