25 rublei 1919

Common. While this Pick-1 issue represents the first banknote of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic and has historical significance, the eBay market data shows consistent sales in the $20-75 range depending on condition, with multiple examples appearing in the market over the past decade. The 2016 catalogue values ($15 VG, $25 VF, $75 UNC) and the frequency of sales indicate adequate supply in the collector market. This is not a scarce or rare note despite its historical importance.

Issued during the tumultuous period of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (1918-1920), this 25 Rublei note reflects the region's transition away from Russian Imperial currency while maintaining Russian-language text and the stated equivalency to Russian credit notes. The bilingual design in Cyrillic and Arabic script, combined with prominent Islamic geometric patterns and the stylized tulip motif on the reverse, embodies the cultural identity of the newly independent Azerbaijani state during this short-lived republic.

The front features the state name and denomination in ornamental rosette cartouches positioned at left and right, with a central medallion showcasing intricate Islamic geometric and floral patterns typical of Caucasian artistic traditions. The reverse displays a larger central medallion incorporating a stylized tulip (a national symbol of Azerbaijan) with a heart-shaped element, flanked by circular denomination cartouches in all four corners marked '25'. Decorative vertical border panels with interlocking geometric patterns frame both sides. The bilingual presentation—Cyrillic Russian above, Arabic script below—reflects the linguistic and cultural composition of the newly independent Azerbaijani state. Signatures of government officials appear below the central reverse design, with the date '1919' prominently displayed at bottom center.

FRONT: 'АЗЕРБАЙДЖАНСКАЯ РЕСПУБЛИКА' (Azerbaijan Republic) / 'ДВАДЦАТЬ ПЯТЬ РУБЛЕЙ' (Twenty-Five Rubles) / 'ИМЕТЬ ХОЖДЕНИЕ НАРАВНЕ СЪ РОССИЙСКИМИ КРЕДИТНЫМИ БИЛЕТАМИ' (To have circulation equal to Russian credit notes) / 'СЕР. III' (Series III) / Serial number and denomination numerals (25, 70, 0089) BACK: 'ДВАДЦАТЬ ПЯТЬ РУБ.' (Twenty-Five Rubles) - appears twice / 'ПОДДТЖКА ПРЕДЫДУЩУЕТ ЗАКОНОМ' (Support/Backing provided by law) / 'Государственный Контролер Министра Финансов' (State Controller Minister of Finance) / Date: '1919' / Additional marking: 'АЕСA'

Intaglio (engraved) printing, evidenced by the sharp, crisp line work, fine detail in the geometric patterns, and deep impressions characteristic of high-quality security printing from the period. The intricate ornamentation and fine hatching throughout indicate skilled engraving typical of early 20th-century European banknote production facilities.

Series III is noted on the obverse. The note displays serial number 0089, which appears to be part of a standard series. The visual analysis indicates signatures of government officials on the reverse ('Государственный Контролер Министра Финансов'), though specific signatory identification would require closer examination. This Pick-1 example represents the standard 1919 issue; the PMG population report indicates this base Pick number has 34 documented variants, primarily relating to later Manat denominations and watermark variations, though those represent subsequent re-denominationalizations rather than variants of this specific 25 Rublei issue.