Beard tax
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Beard tax
A beard tax is one of several taxes introduced throughout history on men who wear beards.
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England
In 1535, King Henry VIII of England, who wore a beard himself, introduced a tax on beards. The tax was a graduated tax, varying with the wearer's social position. His daughter, Elizabeth I of England, reintroduced the beard tax, taxing every beard of more than two weeks' growth.[1]
Russia
In 1705, Emperor Peter I of Russia instituted a beard tax to modernize the society of Russia following European models. Those who paid the tax were required to carry a "beard token".[2] This was a copper or silver token with a Russian Eagle on one side and on the other, the lower part of a face with nose, mouth, whiskers, and beard. It was inscribed with two phrases: "the beard tax has been taken" and "the beard is a superfluous burden".[3]
See also
References
- ^ Sharpe, M. E. (1967), Challenge, Vol 2, New York University Institute of Economic Affairs, p. 14
- ^ "Smithsonian Rare Russian Coin Collection Seeks Exhibition Sponsor". America.gov. http://www.america.gov/st/eur-english/2009/November/20091124175845FJreffahcS0.5918848.html#ixzz1hMLiLLv7. Retrieved 2011-12-23.
- ^ Florenskiĭ, Pavel Aleksandrovich (1997), The Pillar and the Ground of Truth, Princeton University Press, p. 535, ISBN 978-0-691-03243-6
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