The Coinage of Russia 1606-1645
WITH THE DEATH of Czar Fedor I in January 1598 came the end of the old dynasty founded by Rurik in A.D. 862. There was an election of sorts, but Boris Godunov (Fedor’s brother-in-law) had little difficulty in having himself named czar. He ruled Russia until his sudden death in April 1605.
Beginning in 1601 a series of disasters, both natural and man-made, plagued the Godunov regime. A famine of 1601 was compounded by the rebellion begun in 1604 by the False Dmitry, who claimed to be the son of Ivan IV. The False Dmitry’s forces soon overwhelmed those of the government and he seized power in May 1605. Almost at once there were plots hatched by the nobility to rid themselves of the impostor. In May 1606 they succeeded, and the False Dmitry was brutally murdered.
As the leading plotter, Vasily Shuisky was chosen as czar shortly after the coup d’état. Shuisky moved quickly to consolidate his hold on the state and the coronation was held in early June 1606; the usual date was September 1 although Dmitry had also held his ceremony within weeks after seizing power in May 1605. Gold coins were once more strewn
