10 rublei 1918

Common. The Arkhangelsk Branch issued substantial quantities of these emergency notes during 1918-1919 to facilitate regional commerce during the Civil War period. While regional and short-lived, these notes were produced in sufficient quantities that they remain relatively available to collectors today. The AU condition grade observed here represents a high-quality example, but the underlying issue itself was not severely limited in production. These notes are regularly encountered in Russian Civil War collections and specialized North Russia holdings.

This note was issued during the Russian Civil War (1918-1922) when the Arkhangelsk region, controlled by White Russian forces and Allied interventionists, operated independently of Bolshevik authority. The inscription explicitly states it was 'temporarily issued' by the Arkhangelsk Branch and subject to exchange under provincial authority, reflecting the emergency monetary conditions and regional autonomy of North Russia during this period. The presence of three signature lines (Acting Manager, Commissar, and Cashier) indicates the transitional administrative structure between Imperial and Soviet systems during 1918.

This is a classical Russian Imperial-style banknote featuring ornate Art Nouveau-influenced design elements typical of early 20th-century Russian currency. The front side presents the denomination '10' within a central octagonal frame flanked by decorative columns, surrounded by extensive State Bank obligation text in the center. The back side displays a symmetrical design with the denomination '10' repeated in octagonal frames positioned in all four corners, with 'ДЕСЯТЬ РУБЛЕЙ' prominently featured at top and bottom borders. Both sides employ identical decorative border treatments featuring scrollwork and geometric patterns executed in fine engraving. The color scheme of rose/mauve pink with deep burgundy/maroon printing on cream/beige paper creates a distinctive warm palette characteristic of 1918-era Russian regional currency. No portraits or landmarks are depicted; instead, the design relies entirely on ornamental typography and geometric ornamentation for visual authority and security. The serial number 'О 080' appears in both upper left and lower right positions on the front, following standard Russian banknote placement conventions.

FRONT SIDE: 'ДЕСЯТЬ РУБЛЕЙ' (Ten Rubles) - principal denomination marking. 'ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЙ БАНК АРХАНГЕЛЬСКОЕ ОТДЕЛЕНИЕ' (State Bank Arkhangelsk Branch) - issuing authority. 'Предъявитель сего билета имеет получить из кассы АРХАНГЕЛЬСКАГО ОТДЕЛЕНИЯ ГОСУДАРСТВЕННОГО БАНКА или одного изъ казначейств Архангельской губернии ДЕСЯТЬ рублей' (The bearer of this note is entitled to receive from the cashier of the Arkhangelsk Branch of the State Bank or one of the treasuries of Arkhangelsk Province Ten Rubles) - principal obligation clause. Signature line designations: 'и.о. Управляющего' (Acting Manager), 'Комиссар' (Commissar), 'Кассир' (Cashier). Serial number: 'О 080'. BACK SIDE: 'ДЕСЯТЬ РУБЛЕЙ' (Ten Rubles) repeated at top and bottom. 'ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЙ БАНК' (State Bank). 'АРХАНГЕЛЬСКОЕ ОТДЕЛЕНИЕ' (Arkhangelsk Branch). 'Временно выпускается АРХАНГЕЛЬСКИМ ОТДЕЛЕНИЕМ ГОСУДАРСТВЕННОГО БАНКА и об предыдущ Архангельской губернии обязательно по обращению надлежав со сведущими билетами' (Temporarily issued by the Arkhangelsk Branch of the State Bank and in accordance with Arkhangelsk Province obligations, subject to exchange with proper credentials). 'Подлежит пересчету законом' (Subject to recount by law).

This note was produced using intaglio engraving (copperplate printing), evidenced by the fine line work, intricate border patterns, and crisp printing quality visible throughout the design. The uniform color saturation, precise geometric patterns, and ornamental scrollwork are characteristic of high-quality engraved security printing. The detailed border treatments and fine-line security features indicate professional security printer work, though the specific printer for Arkhangelsk Branch issues is not definitively documented in accessible sources. The engraved design allowed for multiple security features including complex border patterns and denomination displays in all four corners on the reverse.

This note corresponds to Pick catalog P-S103a (the only catalogued variant for this base Pick number according to PMG records). The serial number 'О 080' observed on this specimen is a specific printing variety characteristic of individual note production during 1918. The signature block configuration (and.о. Управляющего / Комиссар / Кассир) appears consistent with standard Arkhangelsk Branch issues. No overprints, date variations, or other documented varieties are apparent on this example. The serial number prefix 'О' is typical for Arkhangelsk Branch emissions.