Reverse The denomination and monetary unit are placed on two lines: 5 РУБЛЕЙ. Below is a separator element consisting of two elongated figures pointing in opposite directions with a dot between them. Under the separator is the year of mintage '1883'. Below that is the mint mark 'С.П.Б.'. The central part is separated from the rest of the design by a circle of dots. Outside this circle is the circular inscription: ЧИСТАГО ЗОЛОТА 1 ЗОЛОТНИК 39 ДОЛЕЙ (PURE GOLD 1 ZOLOTNIK 39 PARTS), divided at the top by an eight-petal flower. The rim is decorated with denticles pointing towards the center.
Obverse The center of the obverse features 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 are connected by the ribbon of the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle the First-Called. On the eagle's breast is the coat of arms of Moscow, depicting St. George the Victorious on horseback slaying a dragon with a spear, within a shield. The shield is surrounded by the chain of the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle the First-Called. 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 its left, an orb. Under the right talon is the letter 'Д', under the left is the letter 'С'. These are the initials of mintmaster Dmitry Sabaneev. The rim is decorated with denticles.