Specifications
Russian George the Victorious at a glance
Composition
- Alloy
- Gold (99.9% fine)
- Color
- Warm 24k gold
- Thickness
- 1.6 mm
- Available weights
- ¼ oz, 1 oz
Provenance
- Issuing mint
- Goznak (Moscow & St Petersburg Mints) →
- Mint location
- Moscow & St Petersburg, Russia
- First minted
- 2006
- Face value
- 50 / 100 rubles
- Legal tender
- Yes
- IRA eligible (US)
- Yes
Source: issuing mint specifications, cross-checked against published dealer and grading-service data.
The story
History
The Georgiy Pobedonosets ("George the Victorious") is the Bank of Russia’s modern bullion gold coin, issued since 2006 and struck at the Moscow (MMD) and St Petersburg (SPMD) mints, both part of the state enterprise Goznak — institutions whose coining history reaches back to the era of Peter the Great.
The design revives one of the oldest motifs in Russian heraldry: St George on horseback slaying the dragon, the emblem of Moscow and a symbol of victory over evil. The most widely traded version is the quarter-ounce .999 coin with a 50-rouble face value; a one-ounce version was added later.
The coin gave Russian investors a domestic, government-backed bullion option and became the standard way to hold investment gold within Russia.
- 2006 — First George the Victorious bullion coin
- Struck at the Moscow and St Petersburg mints (Goznak)
- St George-and-dragon design — the emblem of Moscow
- The standard domestic bullion coin in Russia
The two faces
Design
The emblem of the Bank of Russia (the double-headed eagle) with the issuing legend, weight, fineness and face value.
St George the Victorious on horseback, spearing the dragon — a dynamic, classical rendering of Russia’s ancient heraldic motif.
Coin photography: Банк России (Public domain) — via Wikimedia Commons.
Authentication & counterfeit watch
How to spot a genuine Russian George the Victorious
The quarter-ounce George has a total coin weight of 7.89 g — containing ¼ troy oz (7.78 g) of pure gold at .999 fineness — at 22.6 mm diameter and 1.6 mm thick, and is non-magnetic; the one-ounce version is correspondingly larger. The St George relief should be sharp and the Bank of Russia eagle crisp. Verify weight and dimensions against the specific issue, and — given the post-2022 sanctions environment — buy only from reputable dealers who can confirm provenance.
Authentication guidance is general reference, not a substitute for professional verification. For high-value purchases, buy from reputable dealers and consider professional grading.
For the investor
Investment considerations
The George the Victorious is .999 fine and IRA-eligible on purity, but it is primarily a domestic Russian coin: its deepest, most liquid market is within Russia, and Western dealer availability is comparatively limited (and, since 2022, complicated by sanctions on Russian-origin precious metals).
For most international investors a Maple Leaf, Eagle or Krugerrand will be easier to buy and sell. The George is included here for completeness as a significant national bullion coin; check current sanctions and dealer policies before transacting.
Common questions
Russian George the Victorious FAQ
Can I still buy Russian gold coins in the West?
It has become difficult: sanctions since 2022 restrict Russian-origin precious metals, and many Western dealers no longer handle them. Check current rules and dealer policies before transacting.
Is the George the Victorious IRA-eligible?
On purity, yes (.999) — but availability and sanctions make it impractical for most US investors compared with mainstream coins.
What does the design show?
St George on horseback slaying the dragon — an ancient Russian heraldic emblem and the symbol of Moscow — paired with the Bank of Russia’s double-headed eagle.