Commemorative coins were released in the USSR between 1965 and 1991. Most of them were made of copper-nickel alloy, but there were also silver coins, gold coins, palladium coins and platinum coins. All of the coins were minted either by the Moscow Mint (Московский монетный двор, ММД) or by the Leningrad Mint (Ленинградский монетный двор, ЛМД). Certain parts of the mintage of almost each coin were minted using the proof coinage technology.

Coins made of copper-nickel alloy

Year Denomination Commemorative subject Reverse Mintage Image
1965 1 ruble 20th anniv. of Soviet people's Victory over fascist Germany in the Great Patriotic War (1941–1945) "The Soldier Liberator" monument by Yevgeny Vuchetich in Treptower Park 60,000,000 (11,250 proof)
1967 10 copecks 50 years of Soviet power Monument "To the Conquerors of Space", rising sun in the background 50,000,000 (211,250 of them proof)
1967 15 copecks 50 years of Soviet power Worker and Kolkhoz Woman monument, dates: "1917", "1967" 50,000,000 (211,250 proof)
1967 20 copecks 50 years of Soviet power Aurora cruiser 50,000,000 (211,250 proof)
1967 50 copecks 50 years of Soviet power Vladimir Lenin 50,000,000 (211,250 proof)
1967 1 ruble 50 years of Soviet power Vladimir Lenin 52,500,000 (211,250 proof)
1970 1 ruble 100th anniv. of V. I. Lenin's birth Vladimir Lenin, dates: "1870–1970" 100,000,000 (111,250 proof)
1975 1 ruble 30th anniv. of Soviet people's Victory over fascist Germany in the Great Patriotic War (1941–1945) The Motherland Calls sculpture by Yevgeny Vuchetich on Mamayev Kurgan, five-pointed star with hammer and sickle in the center, dates: "1941–1945" 16,000,000 (1,011,250 proof)
1977 1 ruble 60th anniv. of the Great October Socialist Revolution Vladimir Lenin, Aurora, Monument to the Conquerors of Space, Atom symbol 5,000,000 (13,250 proof)
1977 1 ruble Games of the 22nd Olympiad in Moscow Emblem 9,000,000 (335,000 proof)
1978 1 ruble Games of the 22nd Olympiad in Moscow Moscow Kremlin 7,000,000 (509,500 proof)
1979 1 ruble Games of the 22nd Olympiad in Moscow MSU building 5,000,000 (334,500 proof)
1979 1 ruble Games of the 22nd Olympiad in Moscow Monument "To the Conquerors of Space", Sputnik 1, Salyut-Soyuz joint flight 5,000,000 (334,500 proof)
1980 1 ruble Games of the 22nd Olympiad in Moscow Moscow Soviet building, monument to Yury Dolgoruky 5,000,000 (509,500 proof)
1980 1 ruble Games of the 22nd Olympiad in Moscow Olympic Torch in Moscow 5,000,000 (509,500 proof)
1981 1 ruble 20th anniv. of the first human flight into space (USSR citizen Yuri Gagarin) Yuri Gagarin, Salyut station with two Soyuz spacecraft docked, dates: "1961", "1981" 4,000,000 (38,000 proof)
1981 1 ruble Friendship for ever (Soviet-Bulgarian friendship) Flag of the Soviet Union, Flag of Bulgaria, handshake 2,000,000 (16,000 proof)
1982 1 ruble 60th anniv. of the formation of the USSR Vladimir Lenin in sunrays of the rising sun 2,000,000 (79,000 proof)
1983 1 ruble 100th anniv. of Karl Marx's death Karl Marx, dates: "1818", "1883" 2,000,000 (79,000 proof)
1983 1 ruble 20th anniv. of the first woman's flight into space (USSR citizen Valentina Tereshkova) Valentina Tereshkova in space suit, stars, date: "16-19.VI.1963" 2,000,000 (55,000 proof)
1983 1 ruble 400th anniv. of Ivan Fyodorov's death Ivan Fyodorov, dates: "1510", "1583" 2,000,000 (35,000 proof)
1984 1 ruble 150th anniv. of Dmitry Mendeleyev's birth Dmitry Mendeleyev, dates: "1834", "1907" 2,000,000 (35,000 proof)
1984 1 ruble 125th anniv. of Alexander Popov's birth Alexander Popov, dates: "1859", "1906" 2,000,000 (35,000 proof)
1984 1 ruble 185th anniv. of Aleksandr Pushkin's birth Aleksandr Pushkin, dates: "1799", "1837" 2,000,000 (35,000 proof)
1985 1 ruble 115th anniv. of V. I. Lenin's birth V. I. Lenin, dates: "1870", "1924" 2,000,000 (40,000 proof)
1985 1 ruble 40th anniv. of Soviet people's Victory over fascist Germany in the Great Patriotic War (1941–1945) Order of the Patriotic War in sunrays, dates: "1945–1985" 6,000,000 (40,000 proof)
1985 1 ruble 12th World Festival of Youth and Students in Moscow Emblem 6,000,000 (40,000 proof)
1985 1 ruble 165th anniv. of Friedrich Engels's birth Friedrich Engels, dates: "1820", "1895" 2,000,000 (40,000 proof)
1986 1 ruble International Year of Peace Emblem 4,000,000 (45,000 proof)
1986 1 ruble 275th anniv. of Mikhail Lomonosov's birth Mikhail Lomonosov, dates: "1711", "1765" 2,000,000 (35,000 proof)
1987 1 ruble 175th anniv. of the Battle of Borodino monument to Mikhail Kutuzov at Borodino, date: "1812" 4,000,000 (220,000 proof)
1987 1 ruble 175th anniv. of the Battle of Borodino bas relief — fragment of monument to Kutuzov in Moscow 4,000,000 (220,000 proof)
1987 1 ruble 130th anniv. of Konstantin Tsiolkovsky's birth monument to Tsiolkovsky in Moscow, flying rocket, stars, dates: "1857", "1935" 4,000,000 (170,000 proof)
1987 1 ruble 70th anniv. of the Great October Socialist Revolution A hammer and sickle and the cruiser Aurora superimposed on a globe, the date "1917" on a banner, Russian text "70 ЛЕТ" (70 years) and "ВЕЛИКОЙ ОКТЯБРЬСКОЙ СОЦИАЛИСТИЧЕСКОЙ РЕВОЛЮЦИИ" (Great October Socialist Revolution) 4,000,000 (200,000 proof)
1988 1 ruble 120th anniv. of Maksim Gorky's birth Maksim Gorky, flying stormy petrel, dates: "1868–1936" 4,000,000 (225,000 proof)
1988 1 ruble 160th anniv. of Leo Tolstoy's birth Leo Tolstoy, dates: "1828–1910" 4,000,000 (225,000 proof)
1989 1 ruble 175th anniv. of Taras Shevchenko's birth Taras Shevchenko and his signature, dates: "1814", "1861" 3,000,000 (300,000 proof)
1989 1 ruble 150th anniv. of Modest Musorgsky's birth Modest Musorgsky and his signature, dates: "1839", "1881", banknotes 3,000,000 (300,000 proof)
1989 1 ruble 175th anniv. of Mikhail Lermontov's birth Mikhail Lermontov and his signature, dates: "1814", "1841" 3,000,000 (300,000 proof)
1989 1 ruble 100th anniv. of Hamza Hakimzadeh Niyazi's birth Hamza Hakimzadeh Niyazi, opened book and flower, dates: "1889", "1929" 2,000,000 (200,000 proof)
1989 1 ruble 100th anniv. of Mihai Eminescu's death Mihai Eminescu and his signature, dates: "1850", "1889" 2,000,000 (200,000 proof)
1990 1 ruble 130th anniv. of Anton Chekhov's birth Anton Chekhov and his signature, table lamp and books, dates: "1860", "1904" 3,000,000 (400,000 proof)
1990 1 ruble 150th anniv. of Pyotr Chaikovsky's birth Pyotr Chaikovsky and his signature, musical notation, dates: "1840", "1893" 3,000,000 (400,000 proof)
1990 1 ruble 45th anniv. of Soviet people's Victory over fascist Germany in the Great Patriotic War (1941–1945) Marshal of the Soviet Union Georgi Zhukov, dates: "1896", "1974" 2,000,000 (400,000 proof)
1990 1 ruble 500th anniv. of Francysk Skaryna's birth Francysk Skaryna, holding a book and a pencil, dates: "1490", "1551" 3,000,000 (400,000 proof)
1990 1 ruble 125th anniv. of Jānis Rainis's birth Jānis Rainis and his signature, dates: "1865", "1929" 3,000,000 (400,000 proof)
1991 1 ruble 550th anniv. of Alisher Navoi's birth Alisher Navoi, dates: "1441", "1501" 2,500,000 (350,000 proof)
1991 1 ruble 125th anniv. of Pyotr Lebedev's birth Pyotr Lebedev, pressure of light formula experimentally confirmed by him, device constructed by him to measure the pressure of light, dates: "1866", "1912" 2,500,000 (350,000 proof)
1991 1 ruble 100th anniv. of Sergei Prokofiev's birth Sergei Prokofiev, dates "1891" and "1953" separated by a clef 2,500,000 (350,000 proof)
1991 1 ruble Turkmen poet Makhtumkuli Makhtumkuli, dates: "1733" and "1798" 2,500,000 (350,000 proof)
1991 1 ruble 100th anniv. of Konstantin Ivanov, Chuvash poet Konstantin Ivanov, dates: "1890", "1915" 2,500,000 (350,000 proof)
1991 1 ruble 850th anniv. of Nizami Ganjavi's birth Nizami Ganjavi holding a quill 2,500,000 (350,000 proof)
1991 1 ruble Games of the 25th Olympiad in Barcelona cycling; a modern cyclist on bicycle and Ancient Greek chariot are depicted 250,000 proof
1991 1 ruble Games of the 25th Olympiad in Barcelona javelin throw; modern and Ancient Greek javelin throwers are depicted 250,000 proof
1991 1 ruble Games of the 25th Olympiad in Barcelona wrestling; modern and Ancient Greek wrestlers are depicted 250,000 proof
1991 1 ruble Games of the 25th Olympiad in Barcelona long jump; triple jump by a modern athlete and long jump by Ancient Greek athlete are depicted 250,000 proof
1991 1 ruble Games of the 25th Olympiad in Barcelona weightlifting; modern athlete lifting a barbell and Ancient Greek athlete lifting stones while standing on one bent leg are depicted 250,000 proof
1991 1 ruble Games of the 25th Olympiad in Barcelona running; a modern runner and two Ancient Greek runners are depicted 250,000 proof
1987 3 rubles 70th anniv. of the Great October Socialist Revolution worker, soldier and sailor with rifles, date: "1917" 2,500,000 (200,000 proof)
1989 3 rubles The earthquake in Armenia five hands, symbolizing the help from five continents, are holding the cauldron with eternal flame; ruines of houses, wing-like mountains of Armenia in the background, date: "7.12.1988" 3,000,000 (300,000 proof)
1991 3 rubles 50th anniv. of Victory in the Battle of Moscow marching Soviet soldiers, anti-tank obstacle, airship in the air, Spasskaya Tower and Kremlin Wall, dates: "1941", "1991" 2,500,000 (350,000 proof)
1987 5 rubles 70th anniv. of the Great October Socialist Revolution Vladimir Lenin, date: 1917 1,500,000 (200,000 proof)
1988 5 rubles Monument to Peter the Great in Leningrad Bronze Horseman in the Decembrists Square in Leningrad, Peter and Paul Fortress in the background, date: "1782" 2,000,000 (325,000 proof)
1988 5 rubles Millennium of Russia monument in Novgorod the monument, date: "1862" 2,000,000 (325,000 proof)
1988 5 rubles Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kiev the cathedral 2,000,000 (325,000 proof)
1989 5 rubles The Cathedral of Intercession on the Mound the cathedral, date: "1561" 2,000,000 (300,000 proof)
1989 5 rubles Registan Ensemble in Samarkand the ensemble 2,000,000 (300,000 proof)
1989 5 rubles Cathedral of the Annunciation in Moscow the cathedral, date: "1489" 2,000,000 (300,000 proof)
1990 5 rubles Peterhof Palace the palace and a fountain in the foreground 3,000,000 (400,000 proof)
1990 5 rubles Cathedral of the Dormition in Moscow the cathedral 3,000,000 (400,000 proof)
1990 5 rubles Matenadaran Institute of Ancient Manuscripts in Yerevan the institute, ancient manuscript, eagle, shield and sword 3,000,000 (400,000 proof)
1991 5 rubles Cathedral of the Archangel in Moscow the cathedral, date: "1508" 2,500,000 (350,000 proof)
1991 5 rubles The State Bank of the USSR building patterned gates and the building 2,500,000 (350,000 proof)
1991 5 rubles Monument to David of Sassoun in Yerevan the monument, date: "1959" 2,500,000 (350,000 proof)
1991 5 rubles Red Data Book of the Russian Federation Markhor on top of a rock, outer part:copper-nickel alloy, inner part: copper-zinc alloy 550,000 (50,000 proof)
1991 5 rubles Red Data Book of the Russian Federation of the USSR Blakiston's fish owl, aquatic plants in the background, outer part:copper-nickel alloy, inner part: copper-zinc alloy 550,000 (50,000 proof)

Silver coins

Year Denom. Commemorative subject Reverse Mintage mf weight (g) Image
1988 3 rubles 1000th anniv. of ancient Russian architecture Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kiev 35,000 900 31.1
1988 3 rubles 1000th anniv. of ancient Russian Mintage Vladimir's Srebrenik 35,000 900 31.1
1989 3 rubles 500th anniv. of Russian State first All-Russian coins 40,000 900 31.1
1989 3 rubles 500th anniv. of Russian State Moscow Kremlin 40,000 900 31.1
1990 3 rubles 500th anniv. of Russian State Peter the Great Fleet 40,000 900 31.1
1990 3 rubles 500th anniv. of Russian State Petropavlovsk Fortress 40,000 900 31.1
1990 3 rubles World Summit for Children Emblem 20,000 900 31.1
1991 3 rubles 500th anniv. of Russian State Bolshoi Theatre 25,000 900 31.1
1991 3 rubles 250th anniv. of the discovery of Russian America James Cook at Unalaska 25,000 900 31.1
1991 3 rubles 500th anniv. of Russian State Triumphal Arch of Moscow 40,000 900 31.1
1991 3 rubles 250th anniv. of the discovery of Russian America Fort Ross 25,000 900 31.1
1991 3 rubles 30th anniv. of the first human flight into space (USSR citizen Yuri Gagarin) Monument on Leninsky Avenue in Moscow, stars in the background, dates: "1961", "1991", Russian text "30 ЛЕТ ПЕРВОГО ПОЛЕТА ЧЕЛОВЕКА КОСМОС" (30 years of human spaceflight) 25,000 900 31.1
1977 5 rubles Games of the 22nd Olympiad in Moscow Leningrad: Admiralty building, Smolny and monument to Vladimir Lenin, Winter Palace, Rostral column 250,411 unc. + 121,417 proof 900
1977 5 rubles Games of the 22nd Olympiad in Moscow Tallinn 251,562 unc. + 122,167 proof 900
1977 5 rubles Games of the 22nd Olympiad in Moscow Kiev: monument in the Park of Eternal Glory, "Druzhba" skyscraper on Khreshchatyk, building of the Supreme Soviet of the Ukrainian SSR 250,037 unc. + 121,137 proof 900
1977 5 rubles Games of the 22nd Olympiad in Moscow Minsk: Victory Square, Minsk Sports Palace 250,040 unc. + 121,137 proof 900
1978 5 rubles Games of the 22nd Olympiad in Moscow swimming: butterfly swimmer, Swimming Pool at the Olimpiysky Sports Complex in the background 226,665 unc. + 118,335 proof 900
1978 5 rubles Games of the 22nd Olympiad in Moscow Running: runner, stadium in the background 226,653 unc. + 118,353 proof 900
1978 5 rubles Games of the 22nd Olympiad in Moscow equestrian 220,603 unc. + 118,409 proof 900
1978 5 rubles Games of the 22nd Olympiad in Moscow high jump 220,583 unc. + 119,143 proof 900
1979 5 rubles Games of the 22nd Olympiad in Moscow hammer throw 207,078 unc. + 107,928 proof 900
1979 5 rubles Games of the 22nd Olympiad in Moscow weightlifting: athlete after an overhead split jerk, Izmailovo Palace of Sports 207,078 unc. + 107,928 proof 900
1980 5 rubles Games of the 22nd Olympiad in Moscow gymnastics:gymnast doing stag handstand on the beam, Palace of Sports of the Central Lenin Stadium 126,220 unc. + 95,420 proof 900
1980 5 rubles Games of the 22nd Olympiad in Moscow archery 126,220 unc. + 95,420 proof 900
1980 5 rubles Games of the 22nd Olympiad in Moscow folk sport Gorodki: player throwing a bat; gorodki figures (fork, well, cannon, lobster, watchmen, machine gun installation) 126,220 unc. + 95,420 proof 900
1980 5 rubles Games of the 22nd Olympiad in Moscow folk sport "Isindi": two horsemen during the pursuit, one of them throws a javelin into another 126,220 unc. + 95,420 proof 900
1977 10 rubles Games of the 22nd Olympiad in Moscow Moscow: Moscow Kremlin 250,414 unc. + 121,423 proof 900
1977 10 rubles Games of the 22nd Olympiad in Moscow Map of the USSR 250,040 unc. + 121,137 proof 900
1978 10 rubles Games of the 22nd Olympiad in Moscow cycling 226,504 unc. + 118,353 proof 900
1978 10 rubles Games of the 22nd Olympiad in Moscow rowing 226,404 unc. + 118,403 proof 900
1978 10 rubles Games of the 22nd Olympiad in Moscow folk sport "Overtake a girl": a horseman and a horsewoman during the pursuit 226,404 unc. + 118,403 proof 900
1978 10 rubles Games of the 22nd Olympiad in Moscow pole vault 220,583 unc. + 119,343 proof 900
1979 10 rubles Games of the 22nd Olympiad in Moscow basketball 220,583 unc. + 119,243 proof 900
1979 10 rubles Games of the 22nd Olympiad in Moscow volleyball: players in action (an attack and a block), Minor Arena of the Central Lenin Stadium 220,583 unc. + 119,243 proof 900
1979 10 rubles Games of the 22nd Olympiad in Moscow judo: fighting judoka, Palace of Sports of the Central Lenin Stadium 207,078 unc. + 107,928 proof 900
1979 10 rubles Games of the 22nd Olympiad in Moscow boxing: boxers during the fight, Indoor Stadium of the Olympiski Sports Complex in the background 207,078 unc. + 107,928 proof 900
1979 10 rubles Games of the 22nd Olympiad in Moscow folk sport "Kettlebell lifting": athlete in action 207,078 unc. + 107,928 proof 900
1980 10 rubles Games of the 22nd Olympiad in Moscow folk sport "Dance of an eagle and khuresh": fighting wrestlers, winner performing "dance of an eagle" 126,220 unc. + 95,420 proof 900
1980 10 rubles Games of the 22nd Olympiad in Moscow folk sport "Tug of war": two teams during the competition 126,220 unc. + 95,420 proof 900
1980 10 rubles Games of the 22nd Olympiad in Moscow folk sport "Reindeer race" 126,220 unc. + 95,420 proof 900

Gold coins

Year Denomination Commemorative subject Reverse Mintage mf weight (g) Image
1991 10 rubles Russian Ballet Bolshoi Theatre 6,000 585 2.65
1991 25 rubles Russian Ballet Bolshoi Theatre 5,000 585 5.32
1991 25 rubles Russian Ballet Proof Bolshoi Theatre 1,500 999 3.11
1988 50 rubles 1000th anniv. of ancient Russian architecture Saint Sophia Cathedral in Novgorod 25,000 900 8.75
1989 50 rubles 500th anniv. of Russian State Cathedral of the Dormition 25,000 900 8.75
1990 50 rubles 500th anniv. of Russian State Gabriel the Archangel Church 25,000 900 8.75
1991 50 rubles 500th anniv. of Russian State Saint Isaac's Cathedral 25,000 900 8.75
1991 50 rubles Russian Ballet Bolshoi Theatre 2,400 585 13.3
1991 50 rubles Russian Ballet Proof Bolshoi Theatre 1,500 999 7.78
1977 100 rubles Games of the 22nd Olympiad in Moscow Emblem 81,752 (38,036 of them proof)
MMD & LMD 		900 17.45
1978 100 rubles Games of the 22nd Olympiad in Moscow Central Lenin Stadium 107,340 (45,317 proof)
MMD & LMD 		900 17.45
1978 100 rubles Games of the 22nd Olympiad in Moscow Man-made Basin for rowing events 100,406 (43,253 proof)
MMD & LMD 		900 17.45
1979 100 rubles Games of the 22nd Olympiad in Moscow Velodrome 97,126 (42,213 proof)
MMD & LMD 		900 17.45
1979 100 rubles Games of the 22nd Olympiad in Moscow Druzhba (Friendship) Multi-Purpose Arena 91,506 (38,003 proof)
MMD 		900 17.45
1980 100 rubles Games of the 22nd Olympiad in Moscow Olympic flame 52,440 (27,820 proof)
MMD 		900 17.45
1988 100 rubles 1000th anniv. of ancient Russian Mintage Vladimir's Zlatnik 14,000 900 17.45
1989 100 rubles 500th anniv. of Russian State State seal of Ivan III 14,000 900 17.45
1990 100 rubles 500th anniv. of Russian State Monument to Peter the Great 14,000 900 17.45
1991 100 rubles 500th anniv. of Russian State Leo Tolstoy 14,000 900 17.45
1991 100 rubles Russian Ballet Bolshoi Theatre 1,200 585 26.58
1991 100 rubles Russian Ballet Proof Bolshoi Theatre 1,500 999 15.55

Platinum coins

See also: Platinum coins of the Soviet Union
Year Denomination Commemorative subject Reverse Mintage mf weight (g) Image
1977 150 rubles Games of the 22nd Olympiad in Moscow Emblem 34,070 (24,160 of them proof) 999 15.55
1978 150 rubles Games of the 22nd Olympiad in Moscow Discobolus 33,256 (19,853 proof) 999 15.55
1979 150 rubles Games of the 22nd Olympiad in Moscow wrestlers 32,556 (18,978 proof) 999 15.55
1980 150 rubles Games of the 22nd Olympiad in Moscow chariot 26,806 (17,708 proof) 999 15.55
1980 150 rubles Games of the 22nd Olympiad in Moscow runners 20,690 (12,870 proof) 999 15.55
1988 150 rubles 1000th anniv. of ancient Russian literature The Tale of Igor's Campaign 12,000 999 15.55
1989 150 rubles 500th anniv. of Russian State Great standing on the Ugra river 16,000 999 15.55
1990 150 rubles 500th anniv. of Russian State Battle of Poltava 16,000 999 15.55
1990 150 rubles 250th anniv. of the discovery of Russian America vessel Saint Gabriel 6,500 999 15.55
1991 150 rubles 500th Anniversary of Russian State (Patriotic War of 1812) 16,000 999 15.55
1991 150 rubles 250th anniv. of the discovery of Russian America Ioann Veniaminov 6,500 999 15.55

Palladium coins

Year Denomination Commemorative subject Reverse Mintage mf weight (g) Image
1991 5 rubles Russian ballet ballerina in the role of Odette 9,000 999 7.87
1990 10 rubles Russian ballet ballerina in the role of Odette 1,400 999 15.55
1991 10 rubles Russian ballet ballerina in the role of Odette 8,000 999 15.55
1988 25 rubles 1000th anniv. of the Baptism of Russia Monument to the duke Vladimir Svyatoslavich 7,000 999 31.1
1989 25 rubles 500th Anniversary of Russian State Ivan III 12,000 999 31.1
1989 25 rubles Russian ballet ballerina in the role of Odette 6,500 999 31.1
1990 25 rubles 500th Anniversary of Russian State Peter the Great 12,000 999 31.1
1990 25 rubles 250th anniv. of the discovery of Russian America vessel St. Peter 6,500 999 31.1
1990 25 rubles 250th anniv. of the discovery of Russian America vessel St. Paul 6,500 999 31.1
1990 25 rubles Russian ballet ballerina in the role of Odette 24,000 999 31.1
1991 25 rubles 500th Anniversary of Russian State Serfdom abolition 12,000 999 31.1
1991 25 rubles 250th anniv. of the discovery of Russian America Three Saints Bay 6,500 999 31.1
1991 25 rubles 250th anniv. of the discovery of Russian America Novo-Arkhangelsk 6,500 999 31.1
1991 25 rubles Russian ballet ballerina in the role of Odette 3,000 999 31.1

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