Editor's Note: Empress Catherine I expelled several thousand Jews from the Ukraine in this decree. Ironically, most of these Jews settled in Poland, and they and their descendents became residents of Russia again with the first partition of Poland in 1772. Catherine I was not Catherine the Great; that was Catherine II, who reigned later, from 1762 - 1796, during the period of the partitions of Poland. The term Zhidov was used when referring to Jews in pre-19th century decrees, rather than the term Evrei found in later decrees. Zhid is an obsolete term for a Jew, and more currently is considered a perjorative term for a Jew, akin to 'Yid'. Efimki, plural for Efimok, was the Russian word for a German silver coin known as the Joachimsthaler, which existed in Russia in the early 18th century. It was frequently melted and used to make Russian silver coins. Chervonets is also old Russian money, but it was a gold coin.
On expulsion of Jews from Russia and on supervising, so that gold and silver money is not exported from Russia.
This April 20, her Imperial Majesty decreed: Jews, male or female, who are in the Ukraine or in other
Russian cities, are all to be immediately deported abroad from Russia, and henceforth they are not to be admitted
to Russia in any manner, and all places are to be strictly warned of this; and at their leaving Russia
for abroad, to carefully inspect so that gold chervonets and particularly Russian silver coins and efimki are
not exported; and if chervonets, efimki, or any other Russian coins are found, then copper money will
be given them in exchange.
(P.P.S.Z. Vol. VII, No. 5,063).
