1 rubel 1915
“Sig.Lavronsky”
About This Note
An exceptionally well-preserved example of the Russian Empire's 1 Ruble State Credit Ticket from the 1898 Imperial issue, graded AU with no visible wear or circulation marks. This ornately designed note features the distinctive double-headed imperial eagle with elaborate coat of arms shields, intricate foliate borders, and fine engraved security patterns throughout. The crisp printing quality and clean margins make this a desirable example for collectors of Russian Imperial currency, particularly notable for its historical significance as a gold-backed credit instrument of the late Tsarist period.
Common. The 1 Ruble State Credit Ticket from the 1898 Imperial issue (Pick-15) was produced in large quantities to serve as the primary circulating denomination of the Russian Empire. Despite the AU condition of this example, notes from this series appear regularly in the numismatic market and are widely available to collectors. The widespread circulation and large original print run, combined with the survival of multiple examples in various conditions, confirm that this is a standard issue rather than a scarce or rare variety.
Issued during the reign of Tsar Nicholas II, this note represents the Russian Empire's State Credit Ticket system established to facilitate commerce while maintaining a gold standard backing. The prominence of the imperial double-headed eagle and multiple heraldic shields reflects the vast multi-ethnic composition of the Russian Empire and its assertion of sovereign monetary authority. The 1898 date and the detailed reference to gold backing (17.424 parts pure gold per ruble) documents the monetary policies of Finance Minister Sergei Witte's monetary reforms, which sought to stabilize the Russian economy during the late Imperial period.
This State Credit Ticket features a symmetrical design centered on the imperial double-headed eagle—the heraldic emblem of the Russian Empire—surrounded by an elaborate arrangement of smaller coat of arms shields representing the various regions and peoples of the Empire. The front displays the eagle flanked by ornamental columns topped with imperial crowns within circular medallions, with the denomination 'ОДИН РУБЛЬ' prominently framed in the central rectangular cartouche. The back emphasizes the same imperial eagle in a larger circular medallion, surrounded by ornate laurel wreaths and foliate flourishes. The entire composition employs intricate geometric and botanical ornamental patterns characteristic of late 19th-century Imperial Russian currency design. The pale tan/beige coloring with dark blue-grey decorative elements provides high contrast and visual hierarchy. No individual portraits appear on this design; instead, the imperial authority is conveyed entirely through heraldic and symbolic imagery, emphasizing the institutional nature of the State Bank's monetary authority.
FRONT SIDE: 'ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЙ КРЕДИТНЫЙ БИЛЕТ' (State Credit Ticket); 'ОДИН РУБЛЬ' (One Ruble); 'Государственный Банк размещает кредитные билеты на золотую монету без ограничения суммы (1 р. = 1/5 империала, содержит 17,424 доли чистого золота)' (The State Bank issues credit tickets for gold coins without limit of amount [1 ruble = 1/5 of an imperial, contains 17,424 parts of pure gold]); 'Управляющий' (Director); 'Кассир' (Cashier); Serial number 'НА-85'. BACK SIDE: 'РУБЛЬ' (Ruble); '1. Размещение государственных кредитных билетов на золотую монету обеспечивается золотом Государственного запаса. 2. Государственные кредитные билеты имеют хождение во всей Империи наравне с золотою монетою. 3. За поддержку кредитных билетов уполномоченные лица лишены всех прав состояния и ссылкою в каторжную работу.' (1. The placement of state credit tickets on gold coins is secured by gold of the State reserve. 2. State credit tickets circulate throughout the entire Empire on equal terms with gold coins. 3. Authorized persons responsible for the maintenance of credit tickets are deprived of all rights of status and subject to exile with hard labor).
Intaglio engraving (steel plate engraving), the standard security printing method for Russian Imperial banknotes. The fine line work, cross-hatching, detailed background patterns, and intricate foliate security elements visible throughout both sides are characteristic of high-quality intaglio production. This note was produced by the State Printing Works (Государственная Печатня) in St. Petersburg, the official Imperial Russian security printer. The complexity of the engraved patterns and the crisp reproduction of fine details indicate professional-grade security printing typical of Imperial Russian currency of this period.
This example bears the serial number 'НА-85' (Cyrillic prefix НА with sequential number 85), representing one of multiple serial number series issued for this denomination. The 1898 date indicates this is from the initial Imperial issue of the State Credit Ticket design. Variations for Pick-15(1-5) are primarily documented by serial number prefixes (НА, НБ, НВ, НГ, НД, etc.) and signature combinations of the Director (Управляющий) and Cashier (Кассир), though specific signature identification would require examination of the signature blocks which are not clearly legible in the visual analysis. The catalog designation Pick-15(1-5) indicates this is within the standard range of recognized varieties for this denomination.
