Russia/Ukraine: Balta (Odessa region) Jewish community 3 Kopek bronze token, circa. 1880s; size: 18.5mm; weight: 1.85g. Obverse: number "3"; Ukrainian legend "??????? ??????????? ????? ?????" ['office boxed collection of Balta']. Reverse: swan image - Jewish tokens from the Odessa region all bear image of swan & identified by phrase 'office box collection', a reference to the community levy imposed by the 'Kahal'. The Russian government required Kahal-im to collect state taxes from their communities but permitted them to raise funds for community needs, these called "packaged collections" ('office box collections'). The levies were legalized in 1844.


Product Tags: Russian, Ukrainian Exonumia, Medals, Medallions & Tokens, Jewish Community & Cultural Medals & Tokens and Judaic Tokens & Medals from Russia, Ukraine and from 19th Century,