Russia's Central Bank will release a special 100-ruble banknote commemorating the annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, in the latest release of money memorabilia to glorify what is seen in Russia as a historical reunion.
The Central Bank is in the process of designing the banknote's new look, news agency RIA Novosti reported Tuesday, citing the regulator's press agency.
The classic version of the note, which is worth just under $2 at current exchange rates, features an image of a statue atop Moscow's Bolshoi Theater. Russia previously used the 100-ruble note to commemorate its hosting of the 2014 Winter Olympics. ?
Russia has already released two 10-ruble coins featuring Crimean landmarks. One featured an image of a Crimean castle and major tourist attraction, while the other showed a monument from the Crimean city and naval port of Sevastopol.
While the Crimea annexation is seen in the West as a violation of international law, Russians reacted to the event with an outpouring of patriotic pride with President Vladimir Putin's approval ratings rising to record highs.
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