10 rublei 1909
“Sig.Chikhirzin”
About This Note
A beautifully preserved 10 Rublei State Credit Note from 1909, displaying the ornate pink and cream color scheme characteristic of Russian Imperial currency. The front features an impressive central Imperial coat of arms flanked by allegorical winged female figures with laurel wreaths and cornucopias, set within elaborate baroque scrollwork and floral garlands. In VF condition with crisp printing, minimal aging, and well-preserved ornamental details throughout, this note represents the sophisticated security printing standards of the Russian Empire during the final decade before the 1917 revolution.
common
This 1909 issue represents the mature phase of Russian Imperial credit notes, during a period of relative monetary stability under the gold standard established by Finance Minister Sergei Witte. The prominent display of the Imperial double-headed eagle with shield, combined with inscriptions guaranteeing redemption in gold coin without limitation, reflects the Russian Empire's commitment to maintaining confidence in its currency amid growing economic pressures. The allegorical female figures holding cornucopias symbolize prosperity and abundance, while the explicit reference to the gold backing (1 ruble = 1/15 Imperial at 17.424 parts pure gold) demonstrates the note's function as a backed security rather than mere fiat currency.
The front obverse showcases a masterpiece of Imperial Russian engraving centered on the Imperial Russian coat of arms—a double-headed eagle bearing a shield with crown and smaller eagles, symbolizing the supreme authority of the Tsar. This heraldic device is positioned within an ornate oval cartouche. Flanking this central emblem are two allegorical winged female figures representing prosperity and bounty (likely Ceres or similar classical iconography), each holding a laurel wreath and a cornucopia (horn of plenty). The entire composition is framed by elaborate baroque scrollwork, acanthus leaf ornaments, and floral garlands featuring grapes and fruits, all rendered in fine lines creating a protective security pattern. Circular denomination medallions bearing '10' are positioned symmetrically on the left and right margins. The reverse displays dense Russian legal text describing the backing, legal status, and counterfeiting penalties, arranged in a large rectangular panel with ornamental corner flourishes and the same classical baroque decorative vocabulary. The consistent pink and cream color scheme with black engraving and green accents creates visual coherence across both sides.
{"front":{"titleAndDenomination":"ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЙ КРЕДИТНЫЙ БИЛЕТЬ (State Credit Note) | Denomination: 10 рублей (10 Rubles)","goldenStandardClause":"ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЙ БАНК РАЗМЕНИВАЕТ КРЕДИТНЫЕ БИЛЕТЫ НА ЗОЛОТУЮ МОНЕТУ БЕЗ ОГРАНИЧЕНИЯ СУММЫ (1 РУБЛЬ = 1/15 ИМПЕРИАЛА СОДЕРЖИТ 17,424 ДОЛЕЙ ЧИСТОГО ЗОЛОТА) | Translation: The State Bank exchanges credit notes for gold coin without limit of sum (1 ruble = 1/15 Imperial contains 17.424 parts of pure gold)","serialNumber":"ГЦ 063049 (Cyrillic serial number, repeated top and bottom)","officialDesignation":"Кассир (Cashier)","dateYear":"1909"},"back":{"legalAndBackingClause":"РАЗМЕННОМ ГОСУДАРСТВЕННОМ КРЕДИТНЫХ БИЛЕТАХ НА ЗОЛОТУЮ МОНЕТУ ОБЕСПЕЧИВАЕТСЯ ВСЕМИ ДОСТАВЛЕННОСТЯМИ ГОСУДАРСТВА | Translation: State credit notes backed by all resources of the State","circulationAndLegality":"ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЕ КРЕДИТНЫЕ БИЛЕТЫ ИМЕЮТ ХОЖДЕНИЕ ВО ВСЕХ ПРЕДЕЛАХ НАРАВНЕ СО ЗОЛОТОЙ МОНЕТОЙ | Translation: State credit notes have circulation throughout all domains equal with gold coin","counterfeitmWarning":"ЗА ПОДДЕЛЬНЫЕ КРЕДИТНЫЕ БИЛЕТЫ ПОДЛЕЖИТ НАКАЗАНИЮ ПО ВСЕХ ПРАВАХ СО УГОЛОВНОМУ И ССЫЛКОЮ В КОТОРОМУ РАБОТУ | Translation: Counterfeiting credit notes is punishable according to all laws with criminal penalties and exile to hard labor","denominationRepeat":"10 РУБ 10 (10 RUB 10)"}}
Intaglio engraving (copperplate/steel plate printing) executed with exceptional fineness and detail, characteristic of Imperial Russian state security printing. The fine line engraving visible throughout, ornamental guilloche patterns, and intricate scrollwork indicate hand-engraved plates. The crisp, sharp impressions and high relief of the printed image confirm professional security printing. Based on the Pick catalog designation and historical records, this note was likely produced by the Imperial Printing Works (Государственная Типография) in St. Petersburg, the primary security printer for Russian Imperial currency.
This note is cataloged as P-11b(18), indicating it belongs to the standard 1909 issue of 10 Rublei State Credit Notes. The serial number ГЦ 063049 (with Cyrillic prefix ГЦ) is visible. The signature notation references Sig. Chikhirzin (likely A.V. Chikhirzin, a known official of the Russian State Bank during this period), which may represent a specific signature variety within the 1909 production run. The lack of overprints or secondary markings indicates this is an unmolested original note from the primary circulation series. Variations within Pick-11b exist related to signature variations and serial number prefix designations; collectors should compare serial number prefixes and signing officials against published variety catalogs for further refinement of this specific note's classification.
