250 rublei 1919
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This is a VF-graded 250 Rublei note from the short-lived Azerbaijan Republic of 1919, featuring an elegant ornate design with bilingual (Russian/Arabic) inscriptions reflecting the nation's cultural identity. The note exhibits the characteristic tan and mauve color palette typical of early 20th-century Caucasian currency, with well-preserved decorative patterns and clear typography despite natural aging patina consistent with a century-old banknote. This example represents an important piece of early Soviet-era regional currency history from a transitional political period.
Common. This denomination and Pick number (P-6) appears regularly in numismatic markets, with multiple sales recorded on eBay ranging from $9.99 to $45 across various condition grades over the past 15 years. The 2016 catalogue value of $40 for VF examples aligns with recent market activity. The Azerbaijan Republic's 1919 issues were produced in reasonable quantities for the period, and surviving examples are readily available to collectors. No scarcity premium is warranted for this specific variety in the observed VF condition grade.
The 250 Rublei denomination was issued by the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (1918-1920), a brief independent nation established after the Russian Revolution but ultimately absorbed into the Soviet Union. The bilingual Russian-Arabic inscription design reflects Azerbaijan's Ottoman-influenced cultural heritage and its positioning as a bridge between Russian and Islamic spheres of influence during the Russian Civil War period. The note's reference to 'circulation equal with Russian credit notes' indicates the fragile economic and political relationship between the nascent Azerbaijani state and Soviet Russia during this turbulent transitional era.
This banknote employs a symmetrical, highly decorative design characteristic of early Caucasian republican currency. No portraits appear on either side; instead, the design relies entirely on ornamental elements reflecting both Russian imperial traditions and Islamic geometric aesthetics. The front features elaborate floral and geometric scroll work in a bilaterally symmetrical arrangement with large denomination numerals anchoring the left and right margins. The central focus is a decorative banner containing dual-language text in Cyrillic and Arabic scripts, flanked by signature lines for government officials. The back maintains the ornamental theme with an interlocking geometric lattice border pattern forming a sophisticated frame around a central rounded rectangular cartouche. The color palette of tan, beige, mauve, and pink with dark green-black ink represents a sophisticated but restrained printing approach suited to regional currency of the period. The serial number '2143' with prefix 'ЗЧ' appears on the reverse, indicating this is from an early printing run.
FRONT SIDE: Large numerals '250' appear on left and right edges. Central banner contains 'АЗЕРБАЙДЖАНСКАЯ РЕСПУБЛИКА' (Azerbaijan Republic) in Russian and 'مائتان وخمسون' (Two Hundred Fifty) in Arabic script. Signatures are labeled 'Председатель Совета Министров' (Chairman of Council of Ministers) and 'Министр Финансов' (Minister of Finance). Text reads 'ДВЬСТИ ПЯТЬДЕСЯТЬ РУБ.' (Two Hundred Fifty Rubles) with '1919' below and 'ПОДДЕЛКА ПРЕСЛЕДУЕТСЯ ЗАКОНОМ' (Counterfeiting is Punishable by Law). Series marking 'СЕР I' (Series I) appears twice. BACK SIDE: Large '250 РУБЛЕЙ' (250 Rubles) denominations on left and right. Center text states 'АЗЕРБАЙДЖАНСКАЯ РЕСПУБЛИКА' (Azerbaijan Republic) with 'ДВЬСТИ ПЯТЬЛЕСЯТИ РУБЛЕЙ' (Two Hundred Fifty Rubles) and importantly 'ИМЕТЬ ХОЖДЕНИЕ НАРАВНЕ СО РОССИЙСКИМИ КРЕДИТНЫМИ БИЛЕТАМИ' (To Have Circulation Equal with Russian Credit Notes). Serial reference numbers '2143' and prefix 'ЗЧ' are visible on both sides of the back.
The note was produced using letterpress and intaglio printing techniques typical of the period, evidenced by the crisp, well-defined ornamental borders and the clear impression of signature lines and text. The multi-color printing (tan base with mauve and pink decorative elements and dark green-black text ink) suggests multiple passes through a printing press or use of a multi-color lithographic or letterpress setup. The sophisticated decorative patterns and fine line work indicate skilled engraving. While the specific printer is not definitively documented in available catalogs, notes from the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (1918-1920) were often produced by Russian printers or under Russian technical supervision during this period of transition.
The PMG Population Report indicates P-6a is the catalogued variant for this Pick number. This example shows 'СЕР I' (Series I) markings on the front and serial number '2143' with prefix 'ЗЧ' on the back, consistent with the standard Type A variety. No overprints, date variations, or signature variations indicating a distinct sub-variety are observed. This represents the standard regular issue of the 250 Rublei denomination from the Azerbaijan Republic's 1919 emission.
