kopeyka

A kopeyka, also spelled kopeck, is a unit of currency used in several Eastern European countries. Its name derives from the Russian word "kopyo," meaning "spear," as early kopeyka coins often featured a horseman with a spear. Historically, the kopeyka was the smallest denomination of the Russian ruble, with 100 kopeykas making one ruble.

The kopeyka has been in circulation in various forms since the 15th century. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the kopeyka remained the subdivision of the Russian ruble. It also continued to be used in other former Soviet republics, though many have since introduced their own currencies and denominations. Today, the kopeyka is still the subdivision of the Russian ruble, with 100 kopeykas equaling one ruble. It is also the subdivision of the Belarusian ruble, with 100 kopeykas equaling one Belarusian ruble. In Ukraine, the kopeyka was the subdivision of the karbovanets and later the hryvnia, though its use has largely been phased out due to its very low value. The purchasing power of a single kopeyka is extremely minimal in modern economies.