In an effort to Westernize Russia, Tsar Peter the Great (1682-1725) went so far as to ban beards. This was a shocking measure that struck at the dignity of every Orthodox Russian man. Eventually, those who refused to appear beardless were allowed to pay a graduated annual tax. A token of copper or silver was to show that the owner's beard was legal. It should be noted that this example is of silver and dated the year of Peter the Great's death.