10 rublei 1909

Common. The 1909 Russian 10 rubles note (Pick-11c) was part of a large-scale circulation issue of State Credit Notes and remains relatively abundant in the collector market. While AU-grade examples in excellent condition command modest premiums over lower grades, this denomination and date range was printed in substantial quantities sufficient to support continued collector availability. No evidence of limited print runs, recalls, or scarcity factors applies to this standard Pick number.

This 1909 issue represents the Russian Empire's State Credit Note system established under the gold standard, with inscriptions prominently declaring the State Bank's obligation to exchange notes for gold coin without limit. The double-headed eagle symbolized Imperial authority, while the allegorical female figures flanking the eagle represented national virtues and stability. This note was issued during the final decade of Tsarist Russia, before the monetary upheaval following the 1917 Revolution rendered such Imperial credit instruments obsolete.

The front design centers on the Imperial double-headed eagle (the coat of arms of the Russian Empire) crowned and enclosed within an elaborate baroque cartouche. Flanking this central emblem are two winged allegorical female figures representing virtues or national ideals—likely Liberty and Justice or similar concepts of Imperial stability. Circular medallions containing the denomination numeral '10' are positioned in the left and right margins. Grape vine garlands with hanging fruit clusters adorn the lower portions, while intricate scrollwork, acanthus leaves, and floral motifs cover the entire field. The back features an ornate rectangular baroque frame with large corner scrollwork, acanthus leaf flourishes, and rococo ornaments surrounding the regulatory text. The entire note employs fine line engraving with exceptional detail work typical of Imperial Russian State Credit Notes.

FRONT SIDE: Serial number ФР 462483 (FR 462483); ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЙ КРЕДИТНЫЙ БИЛЕТ (State Credit Note); 1909 ГОДА (of the year 1909); РУБЛЕЙ (Rubles); ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЙ БАНК РАЗМЕНИВАЕТ КРЕДИТНЫЕ БИЛЕТЫ НА ЗОЛОТУЮ МОНЕТУ БЕЗ ОГРАНИЧЕНИЯ СУММЫ (The State Bank exchanges credit notes for gold coin without limit of sum); ПРАВИЛО (Rule/Regulation); Кассир (Cashier); denomination numeral 10 (in medallions). BACK SIDE: Article 1: РАЗМЕНОМ ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫХ КРЕДИТНЫХ БИЛЕТОВ НА ЗОЛОТУЮ МОНЕТУ ОБЕСПЕЧИВАЕТСЯ ВСЕМ ДОСТОЯНИЕМ ГОСУДАРСТВА (The exchange of state credit notes for gold coin is secured by all the property of the state); ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЕ КРЕДИТНЫЕ БИЛЕТЫ ИМЕЮТ ХОЖДЕНИЕ ВО ВСЕЙ ИМПЕРИИ НАРАВНЕ СО ЗОЛОТОЮ МОНЕТОЮ (State credit notes circulate throughout the entire empire on equal footing with gold coin); Article 3: ЗА ПОДДЕЛКУ КРЕДИТНЫХ БИЛЕТОВ ВИНОВНЫЕ ПОДВЕРГАЮТСЯ ЛИКШЕ (For counterfeiting credit notes the guilty are subjected to punishment); 10·РУБ·10 (10 Rubles 10).

Intaglio (engraved) printing, characteristic of high-security banknote production of the Russian Empire. The 1909 issue was produced by the State Security Printing Works (Государственная фабрика по производству государственных бумажных денег) in St. Petersburg. The intricate engraved design, fine line work, detailed baroque ornamentation, and security features including watermarks and multiple serial number placements are consistent with premium intaglio printing techniques employed for Imperial currency.

This example is identified as Pick-11c(5), indicating the fifth cataloged variety within the c-series of the 1909 10 rubles type. The signature of Bylinsky (noted in collector notes as 'Sig.Bylinsky') represents one of the known cashier/official signatures found on this issue. The serial number prefix 'ФР' (FR) and the specific serial number FR 462483 help identify this as from the standard production run. Varieties of this note are primarily distinguished by signature combinations and serial number prefixes; this example should be cross-referenced against detailed Russian banknote catalogs for confirmation of the specific c(5) designation.