Reverse The central part features the denomination "POLTINA". Above the denomination is the Crown of the Russian Empire. Below the denomination is a decorative divider in the form of two oppositely directed ornamental lines with a small raised dot between them. Below the divider is the year of mintage "1879". Below the year is the abbreviation "S.P.B." (Saint Petersburg Mint). On the left side of the coin, along the edge, is a laurel branch, and on the right, an oak branch. At the base, the branches are tied with a ribbon forming a neat bow. The entire edge of the coin is stamped with protruding denticles.
Obverse The center of the obverse is occupied by the lesser coat of arms of the Russian Empire — a double-headed eagle. Both heads of the eagle bear crowns, and a third, larger crown is placed above and between the heads. All are connected by the ribbon of the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle. On the eagle's breast is the Moscow coat of arms, a shield depicting St. George the Victorious slaying a dragon with a spear. Surrounding the shield is the chain of the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle. The coats of arms on the wings (four on each wing): 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. Under the right talon is the letter "N", under the left is the letter "F". The initials of mintmaster Nikolai Follendorf. The center of the obverse is enclosed within a braided rim. At the top is an eight-petaled flower, visually indicating the start of the inscription: CHISTAGO SEREBRA 2 ZOLOTNIKA 10 1/2 DOLY (Pure Silver 2 Zolotniks 10 1/2 Dolya). The rim is decorated with denticles pointing towards the center.