15 & 20 kopeek 1915
“stamp money”
About This Note
This lot comprises two Russian Imperial stamp money denominations from 1915: the 15 kopeck and 20 kopeck stamps issued under wartime emergency currency provisions. Both stamps are presented in uncirculated condition with crisp, well-preserved surfaces showing no circulation wear, creasing, or foxing. The stamps feature classical portrait engravings in contrasting colors (reddish-brown and olive green) with ornamental borders and the Imperial double-headed eagle on their reverses, making them desirable examples of Russia's creative monetary solutions during World War I.
Common. These stamp money issues from 1915 were produced in substantial quantities to address widespread currency circulation needs during World War I, and examples in uncirculated condition remain readily available to collectors. No evidence of limited print runs, short circulation periods, or government recall supports a rarity designation. These represent accessible entries into Russian WWI emergency currency collecting.
These stamp money issues represent an innovative Russian Empire response to acute currency shortages during World War I, when precious metals were diverted to military production and conventional currency supplies became constrained. The Imperial authorization text on the reverses—'To have circulation equal with exchangeable silver coin'—reflects the official government decree granting these stamps legal tender status equivalent to their face value in silver kopecks. The Imperial double-headed eagle emblem prominently displayed on the backs underscores their official governmental authorization and legitimacy as circulating media.
Each stamp displays a male portrait in left-facing profile within an ornate decorative frame featuring elaborate scrollwork and floral flourishes at the corners—a classical engraving style typical of Imperial Russian postal issues and currency. The 15 kopeck denomination features reddish-brown/mauve coloration, while the 20 kopeck stamp employs olive green, providing clear visual differentiation for circulation purposes. The reverses of both stamps feature the Imperial Russian coat of arms—the double-headed eagle—centered at the top, with the critical legal tender authorization inscription below, printed on tan/cream stock with gummed backs consistent with postal stamp production standards of the period.
Front side: 'ПОЧТА' (Post/Mail), '15' (denomination), 'КОП' (kop/kopeck) on left stamp; 'ПОЧТА' (Post/Mail), '20' (denomination), 'коп' (kop/kopeck) on right stamp. Back side (both stamps): 'Иметь хождение наравне с размённой серебряной монетой.' (To have circulation equal with exchangeable silver coin.) - Official authorization text establishing legal tender status.
Intaglio engraving (line engraving), a security printing method characteristic of high-value postage stamps and currency of the Imperial Russian period. The fine line engraving work throughout, complex ornamental patterns, and sharp detail preservation visible on the uncirculated examples are hallmarks of this technique. These stamps were likely produced by the Imperial Russian State Printing Works, the primary security printer for such governmental issues during this era.
These stamps represent the standard 1915 issue authorized under Pick catalog numbers 22 (15 kopeck) and 23 (20 kopeck). No specific signature varieties, serial number prefixes, or known overprint variations are evident in these examples. The consistent design, coloration, and Imperial authorization text indicate these are examples from the primary production run of the 1915 stamp money series, with no distinguishing variety markers observed.
