Reverse The central part features the denomination «РУБЛЬ» (ROUBLE). Above the denomination is the Crown of the Russian Empire. Below the denomination is a decorative divider consisting of two oppositely directed ornamental lines with a small raised dot between them. Slightly below this divider is the coin's year of issue «1861», beneath which is the abbreviation «С.П.Б.» (Saint Petersburg Mint). Along the left edge of the coin is a laurel branch, and along the right edge is an oak branch. The branches are tied together at the base with a ribbon, the knot of which forms a bow. The entire edge of the coin is stamped with raised denticles.
Obverse The center of the obverse is occupied by the lesser coat of arms of the Russian Empire – a double-headed eagle. Both eagle heads bear crowns, and a third, larger crown is positioned above and between them. All three are connected by the ribbon of the Order of St. Andrew. On the eagle's chest is the Moscow coat of arms, a shield depicting St. George the Victorious slaying a dragon with a spear. The shield is surrounded by the chain of the Order of St. Andrew. The coats of arms on the wings (four on each wing) are: Kazan, Polish, Taurida, Astrakhan, Siberian, Georgian, Kiev and Novgorod, Vladimir. In the eagle's right talon is a scepter, and in the left an orb. Below the right talon is the letter «М», and below the left is the letter «И». These are the initials of mintmaster Mikhail Ivanov. The center of the obverse is enclosed within a braided border. At the top is an eight-petaled flower, visually indicating the start of the inscription: ЧИСТАГО СЕРЕБРА 4 ЗОЛОТНИКА 21 ДОЛЯ (PURE SILVER 4 ZOLOTNIKS 21 PARTS). The edge is decorated with short denticles.