Deputy Governor of Russia’s central bank, Sergei Belov, described in an interview with a major newspaper that the All-Russian “Money Week” was held in Russia for the first time at the end of September. He noted that such nationwide awareness events were previously limited to a handful of regions, and this year’s initiative marked a broad rollout aimed at reviving interest in currency circulation across the country.
Belov clarified that a large volume of coins had remained idle in people’s piggy banks and in circulating financial institutions. In response, banks and regulators implemented proactive measures to reintroduce these coins into everyday transactions. Across various regions, special promotions are regularly organized under the banner of “Money Week,” with the duration of the events varying by locality. During these periods, individuals can exchange coins for banknotes without any commission, providing a straightforward pathway to reintegrate small denominations into the monetary system.
The Deputy Governor emphasized that the central bank supports such public-oriented initiatives and highlighted that this year’s Coin Week occurred nearly simultaneously across most regions. As an added incentive, participants were offered a newly issued one hundred ruble banknote and commemorative coins, designed to enhance engagement and awareness of the nation’s currency portfolio.
According to the central bank’s press service, roughly 3,000 bank branches belonging to 186 banks participated in the program, illustrating the scale of the national effort and the cooperation between regulatory bodies and financial institutions. The collaborative reach ensured widespread accessibility for customers seeking to exchange coins during the promotional period.
Overall results during the event period indicated that more than 20 million coins, with an approximate total value of 83 million rubles, were successfully returned to circulation. The combined weight of these coins reached around 87 tons, showcasing the physical footprint of the campaign. Citizens showed particular enthusiasm for denominations of 1, 2, 5, and 10 rubles, which accounted for about 76 percent of the collected coins. This preference helped streamline the reintroduction process and maintained continuity in everyday cash transactions.
Separately, the Bank of Russia had previously issued statements about efforts to reduce the circulation of counterfeit rubles. At the end of March, the Federal Security Service reported a large-scale operation involving the production of fake banknotes with a face value of 5,000 rubles. Investigators noted that the criminal network reportedly printed roughly 1 billion rubles annually, underscoring the ongoing importance of robust currency verification and vigilant enforcement to protect the integrity of the monetary system.
In another related development, residents in certain regions of Britain were asked to return ancient coins previously handed out or entrusted to communities, reflecting ongoing interest in the management and restitution of historical coinage across jurisdictions. The discussions around these issues highlight how different nations address currency history, public education about money, and the practicalities of currency circulation in contemporary economies. Overall, the Coin Week initiative in Russia represents a concerted effort to refresh public familiarity with coinage, encourage responsible cash handling, and demonstrate the central bank’s commitment to maintaining a stable, accessible monetary supply for all citizens [Central Bank press service].