Russia 1 Rouble Lermontov 1989

In 1989 the Soviet Government brought out a proof 1 rouble coin to mark the life of the poet and writer Mikhail Lermontov, often known as the “poet of the Caucuses”, whose work was influenced by Alexander Pushkin and Lord Byron. Through his father’s family he was descended from Scottish officer George Learmonth, who fought for Poland back in the 17th century, was captured by the Russians and then settled there. His work was often controversial and this led to several periods of internal exile in the Caucuses region.