Commemorative coins "Polotsk"
Put into circulation on 21 October 1998
Design: T.Radivilko (Belarus)Minted by: Moscow Mint of Goznak, Moscow, Russia
The coin is round. The rim is raised on both sides of the coin. The edge of the coin is corrugated.
Obverse
within the circular geometric ornament – the relief of the State Coat of Arms of the Republic of Belarus; beneath – year of issue, silver coin – fine silver content and alloy standard; inscriptions along the rim – on top: "РЭСПУБЛIКА БЕЛАРУСЬ" (REPUBLIC OF BELARUS), at the bottom: "ДВАЦЦАЦЬ РУБЛЁЎ" (TWENTY ROUBLES) on the silver coin and "АД3IН РУБЕЛЬ" (ONE ROUBLE) on the copper–nickel coin.
Reverse
in the center – the relief of the layout of Polotsk based on a 16th century engravement, in the top right–hand part – the city's coat of arms of the 16th–18th centuries; inscriptions along the rim: "ПОЛАЦК" (POLATSK) and "ГАРАДЫ БЕЛАРУСI" (BELARUSIAN CITIES).
Throughout its centuries–old history, the city has been and still remains a spiritual and cultural center of Belarus. It produced such an outstanding personalities as Efrosinya Polotskaya (Efrosinya of Polotsk), Francisk Scorina and Simeon Polotsky (Simeon of Polotsk). The first Belarusian Ortodox church – St. Sophia Cathedral (Sophiisky Sobor) (11th century) – was built in this city, there was the most ancient Belarusian library in the 11th – 14th centuries. As in the olden times, Polotsk today is the city of rich musical and artistic culture and the center of spiritual revival of our state.