200 rublei 1917

Common. This note is from a large-scale internal loan program authorized by the Provisional Government, with denominations and series numbers explicitly indicating mass issuance (400 million roubles per class, across 20,000 series of 100 tickets each). The Pick catalog number S886(1) designation suggests it is a well-documented, standard variety. Notes from this 1917 Provisional Government loan survive in reasonable numbers in institutional and private collections, particularly given their historical significance. While not as abundant as later Soviet-era notes, specimens in VF condition like this one are encountered regularly in the market, typically pricing in the $15-50 range depending on condition and specific variety, which is consistent with common-to-uncommon classification.

Issued on August 11, 1917, by the Russian Provisional Government during the chaotic months between the February and October Revolutions, this bond represents one of the last major internal loans floated by the pre-Soviet Russian state. The allegorical female figure depicted on the note symbolizes Russia itself or civic virtue, a common iconographic choice in Imperial Russian finance to underscore national stability and creditworthiness during a period of unprecedented political uncertainty. The 4½% dividend structure and lottery prize mechanism reflect 19th-century European bond practices, aimed at encouraging domestic investment during Russia's existential crisis—a goal that would prove futile as the Bolsheviks repudiated all Tsarist and Provisional Government debts within months of seizing power.

This bond certificate exemplifies the refined allegorical design tradition of late Imperial Russian state securities. The obverse features a classically-styled reclining female figure (Allegory of Russia or Civic Virtue/Prosperity) positioned centrally within an elaborate engraved cartouche, flanked by two putti (cherub figures) in the classical style—a direct continuation of 19th-century European financial iconography. The decorative border consists of intricate geometric and floral ornamental patterns executed in green ink, featuring scrollwork in the corners and heraldic-style flourishes typical of high-security bond printing. The denomination '200' appears prominently in large numerals in both upper corners. The reverse side is dominated by extensive tabular matter listing series numbers and detailed terms and conditions of the loan structure—which itself serves as a security feature through the complexity and specificity of the printed information. The overall aesthetic reflects the standard conventions of American Bank Note Company's security printing from this era, emphasizing both classical artistic elements and meticulous fine-line engraving to deter counterfeiting.

FRONT SIDE: '200' (denomination in numerals, upper corners); 'Разряд первый' (First Class/Category); 'Серия номер 1146' (Series Number 1146); 'Билет номер 40' (Ticket Number 40); 'ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЙ ВНУТРЕННИЙ 4½ % ВЫИГРЫШНЫЙ ЗАЕМ 1917 ГОДА, выпущенный на основании постановления Временного Правительства от 11-го Августа 1917 года' (State Internal 4½% Winning Loan of 1917, Issued Based on the Resolution of the Provisional Government of August 11, 1917); 'БИЛЕТЬ' (TICKET); 'ВЬ ДВЬСТИ РУБЛЕЙ НАРИЩАТЕЛЬНЫХ НА ПРЕДЪЯВИТЕЛЯ' (In Two Hundred Roubles Nominal to Bearer); 'Заем сей внесень в Государственную Долговую Книгу под названием "Государственный внутренний четырёх с половиной процентный выигрышный заем 1917 года"' (This Loan is Entered in the State Debt Book Under the Name 'State Internal Four and a Half Percent Winning Loan of 1917'); 'Билетов сего займа выпущено именные и на предъявителей, достоинством въ 200 рублей нарищательных' (Tickets of This Loan Are Issued in Registered and Bearer Form, with Nominal Value of 200 Roubles); 'Владельцъ настоящего билета участвует въ раздачи суммою въ 200 рублей, приносящияся кажды сь половиной процента прибыля по лошаніи билета ежегодно' (The Holder of This Ticket Participates in Distribution of 200 Roubles, Bringing Half a Percent Profit Annually Per Annum); 'Срок последнаго купона 16 Декабря 1927 года' (Final Coupon Date December 16, 1927); 'Управляющий Государственной Комиссією Погашеніи Долгов' (Director of the State Commission for Debt Repayment); '1927 ГОДА' (1927 YEAR); 'AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY' (printer attribution). BACK SIDE: 'ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЙ ВНУТРЕННИЙ 4½ % ВЫИГРЫШНЫЙ ЗАЕМ 1917 ГОДА' (State Internal 4½% Winning Loan of 1917); 'выпускается отдельными разрядами по 400,000,000 рублей нарицательных каждый' (Issued in Separate Categories of 400,000,000 Nominal Roubles Each); 'Разряды дълятся на 20,000 серий по 100 билетов. Серии выпускаются под посдедовательными номерами, билеты же каждой серии имеют особую номерацию от № 1 до № 100 включательно' (Categories Are Divided into 20,000 Series of 100 Tickets Each. Series Are Issued Under Consecutive Numbers, While Tickets of Each Series Have Separate Numbering from No. 1 to No. 100 Inclusive); Detailed prize structure explanation (multiple prizes ranging from 600,000 roubles down to 400-600 roubles depending on drawing cycle); 'Тираж' (Drawing); 'Количество выигрышших цьлих серій' (Number of Whole Winning Series); 'Всего 20,000 серій' (Total 20,000 Series); Terms regarding prize payment, ticket redemption, and interest cessation; 'AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY' (printer attribution).

Intaglio engraving (copperplate or steel plate engraving) combined with letterpress printing. The fine-line work, allegorical vignette, decorative borders, and detailed table composition are characteristic of intaglio security printing. The printer is explicitly credited as the AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY, which was a leading international security printer and the standard supplier for Russian government securities during the Imperial period. The green decorative borders and black text represent two separate printing passes. The complexity of the engraved design, particularly the allegorical scene with its subtle shading and fine detail, confirms high-security intaglio production methods.

Pick S886(1) variant confirmed. The specific observed variety is characterized by: Series Number 1146 and Ticket Number 40, First Class (Разряд первый). The 1917 date of issue and Provisional Government attribution are definitional for this Pick number. No overprints or unusual signatures are noted in this specimen. The American Bank Note Company imprint is consistent with all known varieties of this issue. Any notational variations in series number or class designation would indicate different catalog varieties within the broader S886 grouping, but the (1) notation suggests this is the primary/most common variety of the Pick S886 designation.