Reverse The denomination and monetary unit are placed on two lines: 5 РУБЛЕЙ. Below is a divider element consisting of two elongated, oppositely directed figures with a dot between them. Under the divider is the year of mintage '1865'. Below the year is the abbreviation 'С.П.Б.' (Saint Petersburg Mint). Between the edge and the center of the coin is a rim of closely spaced dots. Between the edge and this rim, a circular inscription runs: ЧИСТАГО ЗОЛОТА 1 ЗОЛОТНИКЪ 39 ДОЛЕЙ (Pure Gold 1 Zolotnik 39 Dolias). The edge of the coin is decorated with a rim of sharp teeth 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 crowns are connected by the ribbon of the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle the First-Called. On the eagle's breast is the Moscow coat of arms, within the shield St. George the Victorious on horseback spearing a dragon. Surrounding the shield is the chain of the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle the First-Called. 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 'С', under the left is 'Ш'. The initials of Mintmaster Sergei Shostak. The rim is decorated with denticles.