What was the exchange rate of Russian rubles to US dollars in the
1860s (or even more specifically, in 1861)?  What was 1 US dollar in
1861 worth in today's dollars?

Any information would be appreciated.

Hi Syrith,


   Inflation Conversion Factors for Dollars 1665 to Estimated 2012 by
Robert Sahr of the Oregon State University gives Consumer Price Index
(CPI) conversion factors to determine the value of dollars of 1665 to
estimated 2012 in dollars of 2002 (preliminary), 2001, 2000, 1999,
1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, CPI (1982-84), and two special CPI indexes,
CPI-U-X1 and CPI-U-RS.

   Using that table, it is determined that the value of the US Dollar
in 1861 was $20.14.

Inflation Conversion Factors for Dollars 1665 to Estimated 2012 by
Robert Sahr, ORST
http://www.orst.edu/Dept/pol_sci/fac/sahr/sahr.htm


   The exchange rate of the Russian rouble between 1840 and 1860 was
approximately 3.26 roubles to the dollar. This is however unconfirmed.

I hope this answers your question. If you have any clarifications,
feel free to ask. I'm not happy unless you are.

Cheers,
aditya2k

Search Terms
"ruble OR rouble" exchange rate 1860s
historical values of "ruble OR rouble"
US Dollar history of values

---

Clarification of Answer by aditya2k-ga on 16 Jun 2002 05:08 PDT

Just clarifying regarding the value of the US$ in 1861. $1 in 2001 was
worth $20.14 in 1861. In other words, $1 in 1861 is close to 5 cents
today (4.9 to be exact)

Answer within 1 hour of post!  Detailed and explanatory response, plus
clarification post.  Thank you so much; I wish I had discovered this
service earlier.

The clarification is backwards. Due to decades of inflation, money
in the "old days" bought far more than it did today. $1000 cars,
$10,000 houses, etc.

The correct statement above would be that $1 today would be the 
equivalent of 4.9 cents in 1861 and $1 in 1861 had the equivalent
purchasing power of $20.14 today. 

--chuck