3 Roubles The Tale of Tsar Saltan

Reverse

The reverse of the coin features a relief image of characters of Pushkin’s fairy tale — Prince Gvidon and the Swan Princess, a city and a coast with an incoming wave, as well as an image of the sea laser treated for matte finishing; there are two semi-circular inscriptions: ‘ЛЕГЕНДЫ И СКАЗКИ НАРОДОВ РОССИИ’ (LEGENDS AND FOLKTALES OF RUSSIA) at the top and ‘СКАЗКА О ЦАРЕ САЛТАНЕ’ (THE TALE OF TSAR SALTAN) at the bottom. The glow around the Princess's head is made with the effect of optical interference.

Script: Cyrillic

Lettering:
ЛЕГЕНДЫ И СКАЗКИ НАРОДОВ РОССИИ
СКАЗКА О ЦАРЕ САЛТАНЕ

Translation:
LEGENDS AND FOLKTALES OF RUSSIA
THE TALE OF TSAR SALTAN

Edge

300 corrugations

Comment

Date of issue: 06 JUN 2024

"The Tale of Tsar Saltan" is one of Alexander Pushkin's most celebrated works, first published in 1831 as part of his collection of fairy tales written in verse. Drawing from Russian folklore, Pushkin crafts a narrative that is both enchanting and profound, making it a cornerstone of Russian literary tradition.

The story follows the young Tsar Saltan, who marries the youngest of three sisters after she promises to bear him a son destined to be a great ruler. However, the tsarina's envious sisters and an old woman conspire against her, leading to her and her infant son being cast away in a barrel, left to the mercy of the sea. Through a series of magical events, the son, Prince Guidon, grows up and ultimately reunites with his father, revealing the treachery of the conspirators and restoring his mother to her rightful place as queen.

Pushkin’s poetic genius shines through in the elegance and depth of the story. His use of verse imbues the tale with a musical quality, while his subtle humor adds layers of meaning, making the narrative both accessible and rich in subtext. The themes of love, loyalty, and forgiveness are explored alongside the destructive power of envy and deceit, all within a fantastical setting that blends reality with the supernatural.

Beyond its immediate plot, "The Tale of Tsar Saltan" serves as a commentary on power, justice, and the importance of mercy. The tale's universal themes, coupled with Pushkin's masterful storytelling, have ensured its continued resonance with readers across generations, making it a timeless classic in Russian literature.

Interesting fact

Price

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