The recent conflict between Ukraine and Russia over control of Crimea goes back many years.

In 1783 Catherine the Great made Crimea part of the Russian Empire. During the Russian civil war the region declared independence and passed between Bolshevik and White Government forces several times, accompanied by a massive slaughter of civilians. In 1921 it was made an autonomous republic within Russia. Greeks, Armenians and Bulgarians living in Crimea were forced to leave.

During World War II the area came under German control and the sizeable Jewish population was annihilated. After the Soviets regained control the entire population of Crimean Tatars, who had at one time made up a majority of the region, were forcibly deported.  Russian families were settled in Crimea to replace them. In 1954 Crimea was transferred from Russia to Ukraine. At the time it made little difference, since both were part of the Soviet Union.

After the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991 Crimea became part of Ukraine. Russia found its Black Sea fleet and other military installations now located in independent Ukraine rather on its own soil.  A majority of the population of Crimea is Russian, as most other ethnic groups had been “cleansed” from the area.  In February 2014 pro-Russian forces, supported by Moscow, took control over Crimea. A quickly called referendum was held on March 16, with a vast majority voting to join Russia.

On March 17 the newly created Crimean parliament declared independence from Ukraine, and on the following day, Crimea officially became part of Russia. The transfer has not been widely recognized.

This unofficial four coin set of Crimea includes the 5, 10, 25 and 100 Rubles. The 25 and 100 Rubles are bi-metallic.

The designs of the 5 and 25 Rubles feature voting, while the 10 and 100 Rubles depict a fist. The reverse of the all the coins feature the Arms of Crimea.