25 rublei 1909

Common. The 1909 25 Ruble State Credit Note (Pick 12b) represents a standard denomination from a long-running series issued throughout the late Imperial period. No evidence of limited print runs, recall, or short-lived issuance exists for this pick number. VF-graded examples are frequently encountered in the collector market, indicating substantial surviving quantities. The note's age and Imperial status generate collector interest, but it lacks the scarcity factors (small print runs, varieties, or exceptional provenance) that would elevate it beyond common status.

Issued during the reign of the Russian Empire under the gold standard system (1 Ruble = 1/15 Imperiale with 17.424 shares of pure gold), this 1909 note represents the State Credit Note series established by the Imperial Russian State Bank. The reverse text emphasizing that 'State Credit Notes are equivalent to gold coin throughout the entire Empire' reflects Russia's commitment to the gold standard during this era, while the severe counterfeiting penalties (8,000 rubles fine and hard labor) underscore the government's efforts to maintain currency integrity. The formal military portrait and Imperial iconography reinforce the autocratic authority of the Russian state in the final years before the 1917 revolution.

The obverse features the Imperial Russian double-headed eagle coat of arms in an ornamental frame on the left side, with the denomination '25' displayed in large circular ornaments in opposing corners, surrounded by elaborate laurel wreath motifs and fine scrollwork. The entire design is executed in intricate guilloche patterns against a pink/rose background, with multiple printings of the serial number DB 009254. The reverse displays a formal male portrait (identified by the inscription as Alexander II, though this appears to be from the 1909-1917 state credit series with standardized portraiture) in military dress, positioned right-facing within a highly ornate oval frame topped with a crown motif. The frame is surrounded by elaborate rococo-style scrollwork, eagles, and laurel wreaths, with 'РУБЛЕЙ' (Rubles) prominently displayed on the lower left against a light green background. The back also features the Imperial coat of arms at top center with extensive Russian legal text regarding the gold standard and counterfeiting penalties.

FRONT SIDE: Serial number DB 009254 (top and bottom); '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, СОДЕРЖАЩИЙ 17,424 ДОЛИ ЧИСТОГО ЗОЛОТА)' = 'The State Bank exchanges credit notes for gold coin without limit of sum (1 ruble = 1/15 Imperiale, containing 17.424 shares of pure gold)'. BACK SIDE: 'ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЕ КРЕДИТНЫЕ БИЛЕТЫ ЯВЛЯЮТСЯ ВО ВСЕЙ ИМПЕРИИ РАВНОЦЕННЫ ЗОЛОТОМУ МОНЕТУ' = 'State Credit Notes are equivalent to gold coin throughout the entire Empire'; 'ЗА ПОДДЕЛКУ КРЕДИТНЫХ ИЛИ ПОДДЕЛЬНЫХ БАНКНОТАХ ЗАКОНОМ ВОСПРЕЩАЕТСЯ, ВОСПРЕЩАЕМЫЕ ШТРАФ ПО ЗАКОНУ СОСТАВЛЯЕТ 8000 РУБЛЕЙ И ССЫЛКА НА КАТОРГУ' = 'Counterfeiting credit or counterfeit banknotes is forbidden by law, penalties include fines of 8000 rubles and hard labor'; 'АЛЕКСАНДР II' = 'Alexander II'; 'РУБЛЕЙ' = 'Rubles'.

Steel engraving and fine line intaglio printing, characteristic of Russian Imperial banknotes of this period. The complex guilloche patterns, elaborate portrait engraving, and multiple security elements visible in the visual analysis indicate production by the State Printing Office (Экспедиция заготовления государственных бумаг) in St. Petersburg. The multi-layered intaglio work with fine line patterns would have been executed using traditional hand-engraved steel dies, providing the high-security printing standard required for State Credit Notes.

Pick catalog designation 12b(7) indicates this is variety 7 within the 12b classification. The serial number prefix 'ДБ' (DB) is consistent with the standard serial numbering system of the 1909-1917 State Credit Note series. Serial number 009254 places this note within the early-to-middle range of production for this variety. No overprints, signature varieties, or other unusual markings are noted in the visual analysis. The collector attribution 'Sig.Ivanov' may refer to a previous owner's mark rather than a printing variety.