Peter the Great and his beard tax
Swampboy
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In 1698 Peter the Great imposed a tax on Beards. His travels through Europe had made deep impressions on him and in his push to ‘modernize’ Russia he thought that a clean shaven male populace ala the vogue in much of Europe would be a step forward.
He began by shaving his close associates himself and then he issued a ukase directing all men (except clergy and some of the lowest peasant class) to shave their beards.
In order to keep their beards men had to pay a tax.
The tax was progressive; the lowest classes paid as little as 2 kopeks for the right to keep their facial hair while the wealthy paid as much as 100 rubles.
Once the tax was paid the men were given a token with the words - “tax paid."
This piece is from a collection in the British Museum.
He began by shaving his close associates himself and then he issued a ukase directing all men (except clergy and some of the lowest peasant class) to shave their beards.
In order to keep their beards men had to pay a tax.
The tax was progressive; the lowest classes paid as little as 2 kopeks for the right to keep their facial hair while the wealthy paid as much as 100 rubles.
Once the tax was paid the men were given a token with the words - “tax paid."
This piece is from a collection in the British Museum.
"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso
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Comments
What surprises me about the example you posted is that it's missing the usual counterstamp (imperial eagle).
8 Reales Madness Collection
I had heard the story long ago but forgotten it, and I don't recall ever seeing a picture of one of these before.
Thanks for the neat little history vignette.
PS- given their likely scarcity and the fact that they're so curious and interesting, I would not be the least bit surprised if they've been counterfeited, in Russia or elsewhere.
Know the story but never seen the token, neat.
same here. interesting.
Hopefully the state of Connecticut doesn't hear about this or they might try to tax beards too. They're good at finding things to tax these days....
Cool background, thanks for sharing.
Hopefully the state of Connecticut doesn't hear about this or they might try to tax beards too. They're good at finding things to tax these days....
"....If you take a walk I'll tax your feet.
'Cause I'm the Taxman..."
"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso