100 rublei 1918

Uncommon. As a regional provisional issue from the Pribaikal Region with limited geographic circulation and a short period of validity (1918-1922), this note was produced in smaller quantities than Central Russian state issues. The fact that it bears both an invalidation stamp ('АННУЛИРОВ') and an overprint from the competing Primorsky Krai authority suggests complex regional political circumstances that would have limited survival rates. However, these Siberian Civil War regional notes do circulate in the numismatic market with reasonable frequency. The VF condition grade and the presence of dual official markings enhance its collector appeal relative to heavily circulated examples, placing it in the uncommon rather than scarce category.

This note was issued during the Russian Civil War period (1918-1922) by one of several short-lived regional authorities that sprang up in Siberia and the Far East following the Russian Revolution. The Pribaikal Region's provisional government issued its own currency as a necessity when central authority had collapsed across vast territories. The classical allegorical female figure (likely representing Liberty or Russia herself) and the imperial double-headed eagle reflect the transitional nature of these regional powers—still invoking imperial Russian symbolism while establishing local provisional authority, as evidenced by the overprinted text claiming authority over the Primorsky Krai territory.

The obverse features an allegorical female figure in classical Greco-Roman dress, seated centrally and crowned with a laurel wreath—a common representation of Liberty, Justice, or Russia in Imperial Russian banknote design. She holds a staff or scepter in her hand, symbols of authority and governance. The figure is surrounded by an ornate engraved border of floral and geometric patterns, with the denomination 100 displayed in shield-shaped cartouches at all four corners. A basket or vessel is positioned beside the seated figure. The reverse presents the Russian Imperial coat of arms—a double-headed eagle with spread wings, wearing a crown and holding both a scepter and orb in its talons, flanked by classical architectural columns or pilasters. This design reflects late Imperial Russian banknote conventions. The large blue overprint stamp 'ВРЕМЕННАЯ ЗЕМЕЛЬНАЯ ВЛАСТЬ ПРИМОРСКОГО КРАЯ' was applied post-issue to legitimize the note as currency of the regional provisional authority.

FRONT SIDE: 'ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЙ КРЕДИТНЫЙ БИЛЕТ' (State Credit Note); '100' and 'СТО РУБЛЕЙ' (One Hundred Rubles); '1918'; 'АННУЛИРОВ' (Annulled/Cancelled); 'Государственный банк размножает кредитные билеты на золотую монету без ограничения суммы (1р.=15 империала, содержита 11.624 доли чистого золота).' (The State Bank multiplies credit notes on gold coin without limiting the sum; 1 ruble = 15 imperials, containing 11.624 parts pure gold). BACK SIDE: 'ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЙ КРЕДИТНЫЙ БИЛЕТ' (State Credit Note); '100' (in circular cartouches); 'ВРЕМЕННАЯ ЗЕМЕЛЬНАЯ ВЛАСТЬ ПРИМОРСКОГО КРАЯ' (Provisional Territorial Authority of Primorsky Krai).

Intaglio engraving (copper or steel plate engraving) on high-quality paper stock, executed in fine detail throughout. The note exhibits characteristic engraved line work, cross-hatching, and ornamental border elements typical of security printing of the Imperial Russian period and Civil War-era provisional issues. The overprint stamp appears to be applied via lithography in blue ink. No specific printer attribution can be confirmed from the visual analysis, though such notes were typically produced by State Security Printing facilities or authorized regional printing works during the Civil War period.

This specific variety is identifiable as the overprinted version issued by the Provisional Territorial Authority of Primorsky Krai, as indicated by the blue overprint stamp on the reverse. The note also bears the red cancellation mark 'АННУЛИРОВ,' indicating it was officially invalidated after the provisional authority's collapse. Pick S1197 cataloging indicates this is the standard type for the Pribaikal 100 ruble denomination from 1918. Varieties of this issue may exist based on printer marks, signature variations, or overprint placement, though the current example's specific signature or serial number details cannot be fully assessed from the provided visual analysis due to image resolution and overprint coverage.