Beard Tax Coin Token Pocket Piece Good Luck Joke Russian

Description

Russian Beard Tax coin token. New condition.  Shipped in a plastic coin pouch.
Russian replica token.  Copper color.  Very nice condition, minimal wear.   Slightly thicker than a United States quarter coin.  No monetary value.
From a coin collector website:
Taxes serve three purposes: raise money for government functions, encourage activities (such as tax credits for energy efficient furnaces) and discourage activities (think cigarette taxes.)
In 1705, Russian Czar Peter the Great instituted a tax on beards as part of his plan to modernize and westernize his backward country.
Peasants and clerics were exempt, but everyone else who wanted to wear a beard had to pay an annual fee and carry a medal as proof of payment.  The first medals were round affairs showing a nose, mustache and beard on one side and the imperial eagle on the reverse.  Later issues were diamond shaped and dropped the images but bore the legend, “The beard is an unnecessary burden.”
Randolph Zander, writing in
The Numismatist
(“Russian Beard Tokens,” December 1948), noted: “The law provided for check-points at the entrance to towns, where officials would deny passage to any bearded person who could not produce a beard token. In addition, law enforcement agencies were enjoined to arrest and fine bewhiskered individuals on sight if they carried no beard license.”
The tax was collected from 1705 to 1772. It was levied according to rank, topping out at 100 rubles for wealthy merchants.
The common round version was inscribed with the words "money taken" (ДЕНГИ ВЗѦТЫ) on the
obverse and the date in
Cyrillic numerals
(҂АѰЕ ГОДѸ, "Year 1705") on the reverse.
Keep a Beard Tax token with you for Good Luck!  Or give it as a gift to a friend.  It will come in a little plastic envelope.  All orders will be shipped First Class through the USPS mail, from an established reputable Ebay seller.  shipping for any amount ordered!
No offers taken.  Thanks for looking; email with any questions!