To be influential yet controversial---that is how the world has chosen to react to women throughout history and even more so today. The claim could be made that every one of the women on this 100 Greatest list fits that category, yet some more than others. The latter certainly applies to this next entry.
With guidance through this Whitman Publishing publication from author Ron Guth, we will take a closer look at this top ten pick that features an extremely controversial woman who would crown herself empress of Russia. Leading both a controversial life in and outside of the crown, her image on coins during her reign left a lasting impression years after.
#10 - Empress Catherine II (or Catherine the Great)
Born Sophie Friederike Auguste von Anhalt-Zerbst-Dornburg in April of 1729 to Christian August (Prince of the German state of Anhalt-Zerbst) and Johanna Elisabeth of Holstein-Gottorp, Empress Catherine II was not Russian at all despite her influence within the Russian Empire. Princess Sophie at the time, she traveled to Russia at a young age where she would eventually grovel at the side of Empress Elizabeth. Upon learning the language and joining the church, she became known as Catherine. At just 16, she would marry Empress Elizabeth’s nephew, Peter von Holstein-Gottorp. He was also to inherit her crown after her death. When she would pass in 1762, Peter took the throne but it would not last long. With little support from the Russians due to his partiality to the Germans, he would only reign for six months due to his wife’s cutthroat power play to overthrow him. By September of 1762, Catherine would crown herself empress of Russia.
Catherine, or Catherine the Great as she would eventually be known, bolstered the Russian Enlightenment. This period of time gave way to political reform, combative foreign policy, confiscation of Church properties by the government, the implementation of Western culture, the establishment of an all-girl Smol’nyi Institute, increased manufacturing and agriculture, and the rehabilitation of education. It is said that this period of time led the way and foundation for Russia’s current intellectual and political culture.
Outside of her political duties, Catherine was said to have a scandalous life behind closed doors. Taking many lovers throughout her reign, it was rumored that her son Paul was illegitimate. It was even said that one of her lovers, Grigori Potemkin, was secretly wed to her.
From 1762 to 1796 when she would pass, Catherine’s image appeared on all gold and silver Russian coins. This included large-sized roubles for which collectors have a bigger appetite since they were issued in each year of her reign. The designs would remain the same despite minor alterations. According to Guth, collecting difficulty remains easy as low-grade roubles are the most affordable.