the value of 19th c. rubles

[Kokobobo, Ani]

Dear all,

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to explain the monetary value of nineteenth-century rubles?  I haven't found the current conversion rates especially helpful in this case.  I am sure it is all relative, but what I'm looking for is a way to match up 19th c. monetary sums to a value system that students would understand.

To provide a concrete example, in _The Idiot_ there are several sums of money that are mentioned -- e.g. the 100,000 ruble packet, or the 18,000 rubles Rogozhin starts with.  Is it the equivalent of $100,000 in our current rates?  Is it substantially more?  Much less?  Can anyone share how they contextualize these kinds of amounts into a productive narrative for students?  Might there be any useful resources/references you use?

I realize the question is diffuse, so any kind of suggestions would be helpful.  Please reply off list.

Gratefully,
Ani
******************************************
Ani Kokobobo
Assistant Professor
Slavic Languages and Literatures
University of Kansas
1445 Jayhawk Blvd., Room 2138
Lawrence, KS 66045
Phone: 785-864-2346
http://www2.ku.edu/~slavic/people/kokobobo.shtml

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