In 1704 Peter the Great introduced the first regular minting of this currency in silver
[DOC] [TLE] World Coins Chat: Russian Empire/ USSR/ Russian Federation  Numista [PAR] Oct 14, 2015 ... During the time of the Mongol occupation, regular Mongol coins and imitations ... 
Wire money was made of a silver wire that was pressed flat and struck with a 
massive die.