CURRENCY CURRENTLY

Just in case you planned on being in Russia in the near future, here's what you need to know about money.   Their basic unit of currency is the 'Russian Ruble'.  We call it the Russian Ruble because there are still some other rubles running around. 

Today, a Russian Ruble (RUR) is worth 0.015 US Dollars (USD).  Yes, that is 1 and 1/2 cents. From the other direction, 1,000 USD is 65,000 RUR.  Okay, how's this:  A French latte at Russia's Starbucks is about 200 Rubles.  Large denominations of rubles are available in paper money - bank notes.  Smaller denominations of Rubles are available as brass or nickle plated steel coins. 

There is a coin which is a sub-unit of the ruble called the kopek.  The kopek's denominations are such that their value is so small that they are no longer minted and are seldom used. 

We are very fortunate that in the U.S., we have never had to devalue our dollar.  It makes for a messy money situation.  Almost every other country has gone through some devaluation process.  Long live the American Dollar.