25 rublei 1909

Common. The 1909 Imperial Russian 25 ruble State Credit Notes (Pick 12b) were issued in significant quantities as part of the standard circulating currency system backed by the Imperial gold standard. While Imperial Russian banknotes have collector appeal and historical significance, this denomination and type were widely produced and have survived in reasonable numbers. EF condition examples appear regularly in the marketplace at moderate collector prices, indicating substantial surviving population despite historical upheavals.

Issued during the twilight of Tsarist Russia under the Russian Empire, this 1909 25 ruble note exemplifies the State Credit Notes (Государственный кредитный билет) system that guaranteed gold redemption at a fixed rate (1 ruble = 1/15 Imperial, containing 17.42+ parts pure gold). The portrait of Alexander II on the reverse commemorates the reformer Tsar whose reign preceded this note's issuance, while the elaborate Imperial coat of arms and official inscriptions underscore the state's commitment to sound currency backed by precious metal reserves.

The front features an ornate Art Nouveau composition dominated by elaborate decorative borders, scrollwork, and floral flourishes in fine engraved lines, centered around the Imperial Russian double-headed eagle coat of arms positioned on the left. Denomination markings appear as ornamental circular badges displaying the numeral 25, with Cyrillic text identifying this as a State Credit Note from 1909. The reverse displays a formal portrait of Emperor Alexander II in full military dress uniform, adorned with imperial honors, decorations, and medals, contained within an ornate oval frame surmounted by an Imperial crown. Laurel wreaths flank the portrait, and the Imperial coat of arms appears prominently with additional decorative scrollwork and architectural elements. Serial numbers appear in two locations on the front (ВХ 757661 and ЕХ 757661), indicating dual control and verification security measures.

FRONT SIDE: Serial number ВХ 757661 / ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЙ КРЕДИТНЫЙ БИЛЕТ (State Credit Note) / ДВАДЦАТЬ ПЯТЬ РУБЛЕЙ (Twenty-five Rubles) / ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЙ БАНК РАЗМЕНИВАЕТ КРЕДИТНЫЕ БИЛЕТЫ НА ЗОЛОТУЮ МОНЕТУ БЕЗ ОГРАНИЧЕНИЯ СУММЫ (1 РУБЛЬ = 1/15 ИМПЕРИАЛА, СОДЕРЖИТ 17, 42+ ДОЛЕЙ ЧИСТОГО ЗОЛОТА) (The State Bank exchanges credit notes for gold coins without limit of sum; 1 ruble = 1/15 of an Imperial, contains 17.42+ parts of pure gold) / Государственный Министр (State Minister) [signature line] / Кассир (Cashier) [signature line] / Serial number ЕХ 757661 / 1909 (Year). REVERSE SIDE: 25 РУБЛЕЙ (25 Rubles) / АЛЕКСАНДРЪ II (Alexander II) / Detailed legal text regarding state credit note classifications and their acceptance as legal tender throughout the empire.

Intaglio engraving (copperplate/steel plate) with fine guilloche line work and background patterns creating sophisticated security features. The intricate detail of the portraiture, ornamental borders, and fine line patterns throughout are consistent with advanced security printing practiced by Imperial Russian state printing facilities. Multiple colors (pink/rose, green, black) were applied through separate plate impressions, typical of high-security multicolor intaglio production of the Imperial period.

Pick 12b(14) designation indicates this is variety 14 of the 1909 25 ruble issue. The signature line varieties, serial number prefix variations (ВХ and ЕХ series observed), and printer production runs are documented varieties within the 1909 issue. The signature lines for State Minister and Cashier positions may vary by signing officials and production batches. The collector note 'Sig. Chikhirzin' references the signature of a specific official whose tenure or authorization period may help date the exact production run within 1909.