Showing posts with label beard Tax. Show all posts
Showing posts with label beard Tax. Show all posts

Thursday, August 01, 2013

Emperor Peter I's Russian Beard Tax

By Jack Brummet, American beard owner

“In 1705, Emperor Peter I of Russia instituted a beard tax to modernize the society of Russia following European models. Those who paid the tax were required to carry a “beard token”.  This was a copper or silver token with a Russian Eagle on one side and on the other, the lower part of a face with nose, mouth, whiskers, and beard. It was inscribed with two phrases: “the beard tax has been taken” and “the beard is a superfluous burden”.” [From Wikipedia]

1705:  Beard Tax Token:

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