Checking Elisabeth period Russian gold coin descriptions at some auction house from Moscow I often find such note: "For Palace use". Does it actually mean that that type of gold roubles (2 roubles, 1 rouble and half rouble) were not used in common circulation? If yes, do you know any other coin type of such specific destination?
I believe "for palace use" means they were issued via the palace, not that they were only used in the palace. In other words, they were struck specifically to be given away as gifts by the Tsar or other members of the Imperial family, but once given away, they would circulate as normal coins - although they might also be kept as a souvenir of the occasion by the recipient. Think of them as government medals, only you can spend them as money if you wish to.
British "Maundy Money" and Chinese "palace coins" are other examples of this type of coinage, struck specifically to be used as gifts by the monarch.
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