25 rublei 1909
“Sig.Gavrilov”
About This Note
This 25 rubles Imperial Russian banknote from 1909 presents a magnificent example of Edwardian-era Russian numismatic design, featuring the ornate Imperial double-headed eagle on the front and a formal portrait of Tsar Alexander III on the reverse. The note displays the characteristic pink and green coloration of this series with intricate engraved details throughout, though age-related foxing and discoloration are evident across both sides, consistent with its VF condition grade and 115+ year circulation history. The serial number БЧ 584011 and Gavrilov signature authenticate this as a significant piece of Russian monetary history from the final years of Imperial rule.
common. The 1909 25 rubles Imperial Russian banknote is a common denomination from a standard production year with no documented production restrictions, recalls, or short print runs. These notes circulated widely throughout the Russian Empire until 1917 and survive in substantial quantities today. The Pick catalog designation P-12a(5) represents a standard variety without notable scarcity factors. VF condition examples are readily available to collectors at modest valuations, confirming common status.
Issued during the final years of Tsar Nicholas II's reign, this 1909 credit note represents the Russian Empire's gold-backed currency system, as explicitly stated in the inscriptions referencing the Imperial's gold content (17.424 parts pure gold per ruble). The prominent portrayal of Alexander III, Nicholas II's predecessor, underscores the continuity of Imperial authority and dynastic legitimacy during a period of economic modernization and political tension preceding the 1917 Revolution. These State Credit Notes (Государственный Кредитный Билет) were the principal circulating medium of the Russian Empire and ceased production after the Revolution, making surviving examples valuable historical documents of the final Imperial monetary system.
The front side features an elaborate Imperial Russian coat of arms—the double-headed eagle with imperial crown and regalia—positioned prominently on the left, flanked by ornamental botanical motifs and flourishes characteristic of late Imperial State Bank design. The denomination '25' appears in ornate circular frames at top right and bottom left corners. The text is integrated into elaborate decorative banners and frames executed in black upon a rose-pink background with green accents. The reverse displays a formal three-quarter portrait of Emperor Alexander III (1845-1894) in full dress military uniform with epaulettes, decorated jacket, and ceremonial cap, framed within an ornate baroque-style oval bordered with laurel wreaths and topped by an Imperial crown. The portrait area maintains sharp engraved detail work, while flanking imperial heraldic elements reinforce state authority. The bilateral color scheme (pink left, green right) was standard security practice for this denomination and series.
FRONT SIDE: Serial number: БЧ 584011 | Title: ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЙ КРЕДИТНЫЙ БИЛЕТ (State Credit Note) | Denomination text: ДВАДЦАТЬ ПЯТЬ РУБЛЕЙ (Twenty Five Rubles) | Regulatory text: ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЙ БАНК РАЗМНОЖАВАЕТ КРЕДИТНЫЕ БИЛЕТЫ НА ЗОЛОТУЮ МОНЕТУ БЕЗ ОГРАНИЧЕНИЯ СУММЫ. 1 РУБЛЬ = 1/15 ИМПЕРИАЛА. СОДЕРЖИТ 17.424 ДОЛИ ЧИСТОГО ЗОЛОТА. (The State Bank issues credit notes for gold coins without limit of amount. 1 Ruble = 1/15 of an Imperial. Contains 17.424 parts pure gold.) | Authority signature line: Правящий Министр (Ruling Minister) | Year: 1909 | BACK SIDE: Imperial denomination confirmation: РУБЛЯ (Rubles) | Portrait identification: АЛЕКСАНДР III (Alexander III) | Legal/regulatory text panels with terms of the credit note
Intaglio engraving (steel plate engraving), the principal security printing method of the Russian State Bank. The fine detail work visible in the portrait, the intricate guilloché backgrounds, the ornamental frames, and the precise line work throughout are characteristic of master engravers working for the Imperial Russian State Bank's security printing operations. The layered complexity and integration of text with decorative elements indicates professional bank note printing of the highest order, executed by the State Bank's official printing facility in St. Petersburg. Multiple passes and color separations (pink, green, black) were required to achieve the final design.
Pick catalog P-12a(5) designation indicates this is variety 5 of the 25 rubles 1909 issue. Varieties within this Pick number are typically distinguished by signature variants, minor design differences, or serial number prefix variations. The signature visible as 'Sig. Gavrilov' (Signature Gavrilov) in the collector notes identifies the Minister signature on this example, which may represent a specific signature variety within P-12a. The serial number БЧ 584011 shows the prefix БЧ (Cyrillic), consistent with Russian Imperial numbering systems. No overprints or modifications are noted, indicating this is an original unaltered example of the standard 1909 issue.
