10 rublei 1918
“Rostov”
About This Note
A VF-graded 10 rublei banknote from the Rostov State Bank Branch, issued in 1918 during Russia's tumultuous post-revolutionary period. The note displays characteristic Art Nouveau design with an ornate double-headed eagle vignette flanked by cherub figures, rendered in pink, tan, and black inks on aged paper. The moderate foxing, creasing, and yellowing evident throughout are consistent with circulation wear from the early 20th century, while the intricate engraving remains sharp enough to appreciate the fine decorative detail.
Common. Regional State Bank branch issues from 1918 were produced in relatively large quantities across multiple Russian cities to maintain circulation during the Civil War period. The Rostov branch, serving a major commercial center, would have issued substantial quantities of this denomination. Pick catalog listings for such notes typically reflect moderate, stable values rather than scarcity premiums. While historically significant, the note's availability in collections and on the market is consistent with 'common' classification.
This note represents a critical moment in Russian monetary history—the 1918 Rostov State Bank branch issue coincides with the Russian Civil War period, when regional branches of the State Bank issued their own notes due to disrupted central authority. The imperial double-headed eagle symbol on the obverse reflects the transitional nature of 1918 currency, still bearing Tsarist imagery despite the Bolshevik Revolution's recent occurrence. The note's explicit statement that it 'has circulation equal to State credit notes' underscores the fragmented financial system of the period, when trust in currency depended on the issuing institution's perceived stability.
The obverse features a central Art Nouveau composition dominated by the Russian Imperial double-headed eagle, a symbol of state authority rendered in ornate engraved detail. The eagle is surrounded by elaborate scrollwork and flanked symmetrically by two cherub or putti figures, representing allegorical virtues common to late 19th-century banknote design. The denomination '10' appears twice in circular ornamental cartouches positioned on either side of the composition. The reverse employs a more austere design approach, with a large rectangular frame containing ornamental flourishes at the corners and along the borders, flanked by two vertical ornamental tassel or hanging chain designs suggesting heraldic or ceremonial authority. The denomination '10 РУБЛЕЙ' is prominently displayed in a central cartouche on the reverse. Both sides employ fine-line engraving throughout, with multiple ornamental borders that were typical security features of the period.
FRONT: 'ДЕСЯТЬ РУБЛЕЙ' (Ten Rubles) — the denomination text. 'АК-43' — series and serial marking. 'Настоящий денежный знак выпущен Ростовской и-Д. Конторой Государственного Банка и имеет хождение наравнь с Государственными кредитными билетами' (This monetary note is issued by the Rostov branch office of the State Bank and has circulation equal to State credit notes). '1918' — year of issue. 'Управляющий' (Manager/Director) and 'Кассир' (Cashier) — signature lines. BACK: '10 РУБЛЕЙ 10' (10 Rubles 10) — denomination repeated. 'Настоящий денежный знак обязателен к приёму в платежи всеми Правительственными и частными учреждениями, а также при расчетах между частными лицами.' (This monetary note is mandatory for acceptance in payment by all Government and private institutions, as well as in transactions between private individuals.) 'Подделка денежных знаков преследуется законом' (Counterfeiting of monetary notes is prosecuted by law).
Intaglio (engraved) printing on cotton-fiber banknote paper, the standard security printing method for Russian State Bank notes of this era. The sharp detail visible in the scrollwork, cherub figures, and fine borders indicates skilled engraving work typical of Russian State Bank printing operations. No overprint or additional security printing techniques are evident, consistent with regional branch issues of 1918.
Pick catalog designation P-S411b indicates this is a specific variety of the Rostov State Bank 10 rublei issue. The 'b' suffix typically denotes a secondary printing or signature variant. The series marking 'АК-43' visible on this specimen represents one of several series and serial number combinations issued. The specific signatures of the Manager ('Управляющий') and Cashier ('Кассир') present on this note would identify the variant more precisely, though those signatures are not fully legible in the visual analysis. Collectors should note that different signature combinations and serial series exist within the Pick S411 designation.
