Beards in Russia stayed taxable for 74 years.

1698 · 1772 · apart: 74 years

Peter I introduced the levy in 1698, and it was abolished only in 1772, under Catherine II.

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The event

• Peter the Great's beard tax1698–1772 · Moscow. Back from Europe, Peter I taxed beards. Under a 1705 decree rich merchants paid 100 roubles a year, townsmen 60 or 30, and peasants a kopek every time they entered a town. Payers carried a token showing a beard and the words 'money taken'.

17th century · 18th century

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