vershoks

Vershoks are a type of Russian folk currency that existed in the 17th and 18th centuries. They were essentially small, irregularly shaped pieces of silver, often cut from larger silver coins or bars. The name "vershok" likely derives from an old Russian unit of length, the vershok, which was roughly an inch. This suggests that the pieces were of a certain approximate size, though their shapes varied considerably.

These pieces of silver served as a form of small change, particularly in areas where standard coinage was scarce or inconvenient. Merchants and individuals would weigh vershoks to determine their value, as their purity and size could vary. The use of vershoks highlights a period of economic adaptation where local needs dictated the form of currency. While not official minted coins, they played a significant role in everyday transactions for a considerable time. Their prevalence declined with the introduction of more standardized and widely accepted coinage.