Stamped paper "for writing bills of sale of deeds" (for serf acts) was introduced in Russia by a decree of January 23, 1699.
Russia owes the idea of the state issuing stamped paper to Alexey Alexandrovich Kurbatov (steward to Count B.P. Sheremetev), who, after traveling abroad together with the count, submitted to Sovereign Peter Alexeyevich a proposal for "eagle-stamped" (armorial) paper "for the benefit of the treasury." For his services, A.A. Kurbatov was appointed "Chief Inspector of Town Hall Law," and in 1711, Vice-Governor of the Arkhangelsk Governorate.
From 1719, a calendar date began to be placed on the stamp. The denomination of the stamp was indicated by Slavonic letters: A — kopeck.