The first coins of this denomination on which the date was indicated in numerals rather than in Cyrillic letters.
The first kopeks of mass mintage with a finished (inscribed) edge.
The first Russian copper coins produced by overstriking, and the only ones overstruck without changing the denomination.
31 January — according to the Decree, new kopeks entered circulation, made by overstriking kopeks of the old type dated 1704–1718. The purpose of overstriking into the same denomination was as follows.
A year earlier, to cover military expenses, lightweight five-kopeck pieces were issued at a rate of 40 rubles per pood of copper. Peter had learned the lessons of the Copper Riot well, and therefore understood that an excessive issue of lightweight copper coinage could provoke public discontent. Therefore, so that the population could see that, alongside the light five-kopeck pieces, a relatively full-weight kopek of the прежняя standard—20 rubles per pood—was also being minted and circulated on equal terms. This is why the number of overstruck kopeks was comparatively small, only 200,000 (according to V. Rzaev)—their task was merely to be present in monetary circulation.
The working life of the new kopeks was also not very long, even by the standards of the 18th century: already in 1730 they, along with kopeks of the previous issue, began to be withdrawn from circulation and overstruck into dengas of a new design, minted to the “heavy” standard of 10 rubles per pood. That is why only a very small number of these coins have survived to the present day, which—together with the small mintage—accounts for their great rarity.
8 February — Peter I signed a decree establishing the Russian Academy of Sciences and Arts. By Peter’s order, youths not only of noble origin were permitted to study at the Academy.
18 May — the coronation ceremony of the Russian Empress Catherine I took place.
23 June — the Russian Empire and Turkey concluded a treaty in Constantinople under which Russia retained the Caspian coast, and Turkey retained Tiflis and Erivan.
24 September — the Paris stock exchange was officially opened.