2021-07-15 Thu

Anna Ioannovna was Empress regnant of Russia from 1730 to 1740. Much of her administration was defined or heavily influenced by actions set in motion by her uncle, Peter the Great, such as the lavish building projects in St. Petersburg, funding the Russian Academy of Science, and measures that generally favoured the nobility, such as the repeal of a primogeniture law in 1730.

Anna, however, had little interest in government affairs and relied heavily on her lover, Ernst Johann Biron, and a small group of German advisers, including the head of Russia’s foreign affairs, Andrey Osterman, and the chief of the army, Burkhard Munnich, to manage the state.

In the West, Anna's reign was traditionally viewed as a continuation of the transition from the old Muscovy ways to the European court envisioned by Peter the Great. Her government, on the whole, was prudent, beneficial and even glorious; but it was undoubtedly severe and became at last universally unpopular. Within Russia Anna's reign is often referred to as a "dark era".

She was known to enjoy hunting animals from the palace windows and, on more than a few occasions, humiliated individuals with disabilities. Anna's war with Turkey, economic issues, and conspiracy revolving around her accession all bring to light an ominous glow of the empress' reign.

Here is a 1 Rouble coin issued during his reign. The obverse of the coin depicts her portrait. On the other hand, the reverse of a coin showing a double-headed eagle.

Image Source: Wikipedia.org