10 rublei 1909
“Sig.Gavrilov”
About This Note
This is a VF-condition Russian Empire 10 ruble State Credit Note from 1909 (Pick P-11c(6)), featuring exceptional Art Nouveau design with vibrant pink and cream coloring. The note displays sharp engraving throughout with ornate allegorical imagery, the imperial double-headed eagle, and grape vine motifs symbolizing prosperity, all characteristic of late Imperial Russian currency design. The note appears to have seen minimal circulation, with crisp printing and no visible damage, making it an attractive example for collectors of Imperial Russian banknotes.
Common. The 10 ruble denomination was one of the standard circulating denominations throughout the Russian Empire during the 1909 issue period, produced in significant quantities. No historical record suggests limited print runs or short-term circulation for this Pick number. The VF condition grade is desirable but not exceptionally rare, as surviving examples from this series are reasonably available to collectors. Notes from this issue regularly appear in the collector market at modest valuations, indicating substantial surviving populations.
This note was issued during the final years of the Russian Empire under the Gold Standard monetary system, as explicitly stated in the text guaranteeing exchange for gold currency without limit. The design's emphasis on state security ('secured by all the wealth of the state') and imperial iconography reflects the Tsarist government's attempt to maintain confidence in paper currency during a period of economic modernization. The allegorical female figures flanking the imperial coat of arms represent the state virtues of governance and prosperity, common Art Nouveau imagery reflecting Russia's cultural sophistication in the pre-Revolutionary era.
The front features a symmetrical Art Nouveau composition centered on the Russian Imperial coat of arms (double-headed eagle with crown) within an ornamental shield. Flanking the shield on either side are allegorical female figures in flowing classical robes representing state virtues—likely personifications of Justice, Wisdom, or similar Imperial ideals typical of late 19th-century Russian state iconography. Circular numeral medallions containing '10' frame the composition on the left and right. Decorative grape vine bundles with fruit occupy the lower corners, symbolizing agricultural prosperity and economic wealth. The color scheme of pink/rose with cream/beige central area creates elegant contrast. The back displays predominantly textual content with legal and monetary declarations surrounded by identical Art Nouveau scrollwork and corner medallions. The entire design reflects the sophisticated engraving standards of Imperial Russian currency and the state's commitment to demonstrating fiscal responsibility through aesthetic excellence.
FRONT SIDE: Serial number КЗ 445849 (upper left and lower right). Main inscriptions read 'ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЙ КРЕДИТНЫЙ БИЛЕТ' (State Credit Note) and 'ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЙ БАНК РАЗМЕНИВАЕТ КРЕДИТНЫЕ БИЛЕТЫ НА ЗОЛОТУЮ МОНЕТУ БЕЗ ОГРАНИЧЕНИЯ СУММЫ' (The State Bank exchanges credit notes for gold currency without limit of amount). Gold content specification: '1 РУБЛЬ = 1/15 ИМПЕРИАЛА СОДЕРЖИТ 17,424 ДОЛЕЙ ЧИСТОГО ЗОЛОТА' (1 ruble = 1/15 of an Imperial contains 17.424 parts pure gold). Signature lines for 'УПРАВЛЯЮЩИЙ' (Manager) and 'Кассир' (Cashier). Date 1909 and denomination '10' in multiple locations. BACK SIDE: Legal text including 'РАЗМЕЩАЕТ ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫХ КРЕДИТНЫХ БИЛЕТОВ НА ЗОЛОТУЮ МОНЕТУ' (Issues state credit notes for gold currency), 'ОБЕСПЕЧИВАЕТСЯ ВСЕМ ДОСТОЯНИЕМ ГОСУДАРСТВА' (Is secured by all the wealth of the state), 'ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЕ КРЕДИТНЫЕ БИЛЕТЫ ИМЕЮТ ХОЖДЕНИЕ ВО ВСЕЙ ИМПЕРИИ РАВНЫЕ СО ЗВОНКОЮ (ЗОЛОТОЮ) МОНЕТОЮ' (State credit notes are in circulation throughout the empire equal to ringing (gold) currency), and counterfeiting penalty clause 'ЗА ПОДДЕЛКУ КРЕДИТНЫХ БИЛЕТОВ ПОЛОЖЕНЫ ПОВЕРГАЮТСЯ ЛИБО НА ВСЕХ ПРАВАХ ПО СТОЯЩИХ В ЗАКОНЕ' (For counterfeiting credit notes penalties are imposed as stated in law). Denomination marking '10·РУБ·10' at bottom.
Intaglio engraving (steel plate printing) combined with multi-color letterpress or chromolithography. The fine detail work, sharp lines, and complex scrollwork indicate traditional steel engraving techniques. The two-color printing (pink/rose and cream/beige) was likely applied through separate passes, a standard technique for Imperial Russian banknotes of this period. The Russian State Bank's security printing works (State Printing Plant) handled the production. Serial numbers were likely added by hand or through specialized numbering equipment. The fine line patterns and intricate denominational numerals show the high security standards typical of early 20th-century Imperial currency production.
This note is identified as P-11c(6) variant, indicating it is from the 1909 issue. The signature line references 'Sig. Gavrilov,' likely referring to one of the officials who authorized this particular series (possibly bank manager or director). Serial number КЗ 445849 is specific to this individual note. The designation '(6)' in the Pick catalog suggests this is one of multiple signature or printing variants within the P-11c range. Detailed variety study would require comparison with other cataloged examples to determine the specific significance of this signature variant and its scarcity relative to other authorized versions of the 1909 10 ruble note.
