Georgia, Alexander I of Russia. Scarce Silver Abazi (40 Kopeks).
Mint Year: 1818 Mint Place: Tiflis Reference: KM-75. Denomination: 2 Abazi (20 Kopeks) Mint Master: Alexander Trifonov (A.T) Material: Silver (.917) Diameter: 24mm Weight: 6.13gm
Obverse: Turreted crown above Georgian legend and sprays.
Reverse: Georgian Denomination and date above mint master´s initials (A.T).
Between 1801 and 1918 the country of Georgia was part of the Russian Empire. For centuries, the Muslim Ottoman and Persian empires had fought over the various fragmented Georgian states in the southern Caucasus. By the 18th century, a third imperial power, Russia, had emerged in the region. Since Russia was a Christian state like Georgia, the Georgians increasingly sought Russian help. In 1783, the leading Georgian kingdom became a Russian protectorate, but in 1801 the country was annexed by Russia outright, receiving a status of guberniya (Georgian Governorate or the Government of Georgia). For the next 117 years, Georgia would be part of the Russian Empire. Russian rule offered the Georgians peace and security from attack but it was also often heavy-handed and insensitive to local feelings. By the late 19th century, discontent with the Russian authorities led to a growing national movement. The Russian era brought unprecedented social and economic change to Georgia as well as new intellectual currents from Europe. New social classes emerged: the emancipation of the serfs freed many peasants but did little to alleviate their poverty; the growth of capitalism created an urban working class in Georgia. Both peasants and workers found expression for their discontent through revolts and strikes, culminating in the revolution of 1905. Their cause was championed by the socialist Mensheviks, who became the dominant political force in Georgia in the final years of Russian rule. Georgia finally won its independence, less as a result of the nationalists' and socialists' efforts, than from the collapse of the Russian Empire in World War I.