We gratefully acknowledge numismatist Walt Jellum who provided images and background information for this section.

Inscription (reverse) Loss will not be compensated. Unused coupons should be returned to the company cashier.

1993 COINS

Obverse: (on top left) ШЛИЦБEPГEHE = Spitsbergen, (Polar Bear standing on Svalbard with 78° in center) APΚTИКУГОЛЬ = Arctic Coal (on bottom right).

Reverse: (on top) РОССИЙСКАЯ ФЕДЕРАЦИЯ  = Soviet Federation, numeral value (10, 25, 50 or 100) in center with  PУБЛЕЙ= Ruble under denomination, 1993 (on bottom).

The 10, 25 and 50 rubles are of copper-nickle and plain edged where as the 100 rubles is of aluminum-bronze and reeded edged minted in Leningrad. 10 rubles is 19mm, 2.84 g., 25 rubles is 21mm, 3.79 g., 50 rubles is 24mm, 5.11 g. and 100 rubles is 25mm, 4.93 g. The Norwegian government protested the use of these coins because the inscription implied Spitsbergen was under the political control of the Russian Federation. The Russians, not wanting to offend the Norwegians sovereignty, quickly withdrew this second issue of coins.