10 rublei 1909
“Sig.Feduleyev”
About This Note
An exceptionally well-preserved example of the 1909 Russian 10 Rubles State Credit Note (Pick P-11c(14)), graded EF. The note displays vibrant pink-mauve coloring with intricate baroque engraving throughout, featuring allegorical female figures flanking a central double-headed eagle coat of arms on the obverse. The reverse presents dense legal text within ornate scrollwork framing, with classical cherub ornaments at the corners. This signature Feduleyev example represents the pinnacle of Imperial Russian banknote artistry from the pre-revolutionary period.
Common. The 1909 10 Rubles note was issued in large quantities throughout the final decade of the Russian Empire and represents a standard denomination from this period. While the 1909 series itself had multiple varieties and Pick numbers, individual notes in standard condition are readily available to collectors and typically trade in modest price ranges. The EF grade and Feduleyev signature notation do not indicate a particularly scarce variety. No specific print run restrictions or recall history is known for this Pick number that would elevate it beyond common status.
This 10 Rubles note was issued during the final years of the Russian Empire under the State Bank's credit note system, which pegged currency to gold reserves as indicated by the prominent inscriptions promising exchange for gold coin. The elaborate baroque design with allegorical figures and imperial symbolism reflects the confidence and artistic ambition of late Tsarist financial policy. The reverse legal text, including harsh penalties for counterfeiting and statements of nationwide circulation, underscores the State Bank's attempt to establish monetary credibility during a period of economic and political transition that would culminate in the 1917 Revolution.
The obverse features a symmetrical neoclassical composition centered on the Imperial double-headed eagle coat of arms with baroque ornamental shield and scrollwork. Flanking this central symbol are allegorical female figures (representing classical virtues or imperial concepts) in flowing robes, positioned within large circular medallions containing the numeral '10'. Decorative grape bunches hang on either side of the design, and the entire field is filled with intricate engraving patterns in a pink-mauve color scheme. The reverse presents an elaborate baroque rectangular frame with scrollwork flourishes and four corner ornaments featuring classical cherub (putto) figures within circular floral medallions. The central panel contains three numbered legal declarations in dense Cyrillic text, with large ornamental numerals '10' and 'РУБ' labels at the bottom. The design throughout emphasizes security through complexity and artistic craftsmanship rather than modern security features.
FRONT SIDE: 'ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЙ КРЕДИТНЫЙ БИЛЕТ' (State Credit Note); 'ДЕСЯТЬ РУБЛЕЙ' (Ten Rubles); 'ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЙ БАНК РАЗМЕНИВАЕТСЯ КРЕДИТНЫЕ БИЛЕТЫ НА ЗОЛОТУЮ МОНЕТУ' (The State Bank exchanges credit notes for gold coin); Serial number 'Хь061266' (appears twice); Signature lines marked 'Кассир' (Cashier) and 'Управляющий' (Manager/Director). BACK SIDE: '1. РАЗМЕН ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫХ КРЕДИТНЫХ БИЛЕТОВ НА ЗОЛОТУЮ МОНЕТУ ОБЕСПЕЧИВАЕТСЯ ВСЕМ ДОСТОЯНИЕМ ГОСУДАРСТВА' (The exchange of State credit notes for gold coin is secured by all the assets of the State); '2. ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЕ КРЕДИТНЫЕ БИЛЕТЫ ИМЕЮТ ХОЖДЕНИЕ ВО ВСЕЙ ИМПЕРИИ НАРАВНЕ СО ЗОЛОТОЮ МОНЕТОЮ' (State credit notes circulate throughout the entire Empire on equal terms with gold coin); '3. ЗА ПОДДЕЛЬКУ КРЕДИТНЫХ БИЛЕТОВ ВИНОВНЫЕ ПОДВЕРГАЮТСЯ ЛИШЕНИЮ ВСЕХ ПРАВ СОСТОЯНИЯ И ССЫЛКЕ В КАТОРЖНУЮ РАБОТУ' (For counterfeiting credit notes, guilty parties are subject to deprivation of all rights of status and exile to hard labor); '10 РУБ 10' (10 RUB 10).
Intaglio (copperplate engraving) printing, the standard technique for high-security Imperial Russian banknotes of this period. The fine line work, intricate baroque patterns, and precise detail visible throughout both sides confirm professional security printing by the Russian State Printing House. The symmetric design elements, dual serial number placement, and elaborate engraving patterns served as primary anti-counterfeiting measures.
This note is identified as Pick P-11c(14), indicating it is part of the fourteenth identified variety/signature combination of the 1909 10 Rubles design. The serial number Хь061266 (Kh-061266) is documented in the collector's notation. The signature 'Feduleyev' (Федулеев) references a known cashier or official of the Russian State Bank during this period. Variations in this series typically relate to different signature combinations of bank officials (Cashier and Manager/Director positions) and serial number prefixes. The pink-mauve color scheme appears consistent with the primary printing of this issue, though slight shade variations are known among different printings.
