This 1705 Beard Token Proved that the Owner Had Paid the Beard Tax Imposed by Peter the Great

Peter the Great probably wasn’t big into Movember.

The Emperor of Russia instituted a beard tax in 1698 – anyone who wanted to keep a beard had to pay a tax. Those who refused to pay were forcibly shaven.

To prove that they’ve paid the Beard Tax, bearded men would carry around a "Beard Token" – a coin which bore the inscription "money taken" on one side and "the beard is a superfluous burden" on the other side.

Recently, Russian archaeologists have found a haul of ancient coins containing the rare beard token in a 17th century ruin in the city of Pskov.

Via Lost at E Minor

Source: neatorama