25 rublei 1909

Common. The 25 rubles denomination from 1909 (Pick P-12a) was issued in substantial quantities by the Russian Imperial State Bank and circulated widely throughout the Russian Empire until the currency reforms of the Soviet period. While numismatically interesting as a pre-revolutionary example, notes from this series appear regularly in the market in varying conditions. The Fair condition grade and standard serial number prefix (AB) do not indicate an exceptional or limited variety. Survival rates for Imperial Russian banknotes of this denomination remain adequate for collectors.

Issued during the reign of Tsar Nicholas II under the auspices of the Russian Imperial State Bank, this 1909 credit note represents the final era of Imperial Russian currency backed by the gold standard. The prominent display of Alexander III's portrait (Alexander III ruled 1881-1894, and his image remained on currency under his son Nicholas II) and the explicit gold redemption guarantee printed on the note reflect the economic confidence of the Russian Empire in the pre-World War I period. The ornate imperial symbolism—the crowned double-headed eagle, wreaths, and decorative imperial iconography—underscores the authority of the Romanov dynasty during the twilight of the Russian Empire.

The obverse (front) features an elaborate architectural composition centered on the Imperial State Seal—a double-headed eagle wearing a crown, surrounded by ornate rococo-style scrollwork and floral embellishments. Denomination cartouches reading '25' in ornate numerals appear in crowned medallions at the left and right margins. The entire composition is rendered in fine engraved lines on a delicate salmon-pink background with green and gray accents, creating a sophisticated security pattern. The reverse (back) presents a formal three-quarter portrait of Emperor Alexander III in full military regalia with decorative epaulettes, orders, and medals across his chest. The portrait is framed within an elaborate cartouche featuring a crown at apex, flanked by laurel wreaths and palm fronds symbolizing imperial authority and victory. The imperial double-headed eagle appears again in a wreath motif in the upper center. The pale cream background on the right contrasts with the pink on the left, and extensive regulatory text occupies the lower portion, establishing the legal basis for the note's circulation and redemption guarantee.

FRONT SIDE: Serial number: AB 438696 | ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЙ КРЕДИТНЫЙ БИЛЕТ (State Credit Note) | ДВАДЦАТЬ ПЯТЬ РУБЛЕЙ (Twenty-Five Rubles) | Denomination markers: 25 (in ornate circles, left and right) | Year: 1909 | Text block: ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЙ БАНК РАЗМЕНИВАЕТ КРЕДИТНЫЕ БИЛЕТЫ НА ЗОЛОТУЮ МОНЕТУ БЕЗ ОГРАНИЧЕНИЯ СУММЫ (The State Bank exchanges credit notes for gold coins without limit of sum) | (1 РУБЛЬ = 1/15 ИМПЕРИАЛА, СОДЕРЖИТ 17,424 ДОЛИ ЧИСТОГО ЗОЛОТА) (1 ruble = 1/15 imperial, contains 17.424 parts pure gold) | Signature line designations: Управляющий Министр (Managing Minister), Кассир (Cashier). BACK SIDE: АЛЕКСАНДРЪ III (Alexander III) | Nameplate below portrait | РУБЛЕЙ (Rubles) | Regulatory text regarding State Bank obligations and credit note exchange provisions and legal framework.

Intaglio engraving (steel plate engraving), characteristic of high-security banknote production of the Imperial Russian State Bank. The extraordinarily fine line work, delicate background patterns, and dimensional quality of the engraved elements visible in the analyzed images are hallmarks of classical intaglio methods. Multiple color printing layers were applied to achieve the salmon-pink, green, gray, cream, and black tones. The printer for Russian Imperial banknotes of this period was typically the state printing facilities under the direction of the State Bank, with possible involvement of the International Bank Note Company or similar specialized security printers for certain denominations.

This specific note bears serial number AB 438696 with the standard prefix for 1909 issues. Varieties of the 1909 25 rubles (P-12a) are primarily distinguished by signature combinations (different Managing Ministers and Cashiers serving at different periods) and serial number prefixes (A, B, C, D, etc., indicating different printing runs). The signature of Zhikharev mentioned in the collector notes may refer to the cashier or managing minister signature visible on the note. Without additional documentation, this appears to be a standard circulation note from a regular production run of the 1909 issue, not a noted rarity or special variety.