3 rublja 1905
“Sig.Gavrilov”
About This Note
This is an AU-graded Russian Empire 3 Ruble State Credit Note from 1905, representing the last decade of Imperial Russian currency before the revolutionary period. The note displays exceptional condition with vibrant multi-color printing in cream, pink, green, and blue-gray tones, crisp fine-line engraving throughout, and no visible wear or circulation damage. The presence of signatures (Gavrilov noted as one signatory) and the complete serial number АГ 7138487 make this an attractive example for collectors of Imperial Russian currency and late Tsarist-era financial documents.
Common. The 3 Ruble denomination of 1905 (Pick 9c) represents a standard circulation issue from one of the final years of Imperial Russia's sound-currency period. While these notes are now over 115 years old and primarily found in collections rather than circulation, the 1905 issue had substantial print runs and remains readily available in the collector market. AU-condition examples appear regularly at reasonable prices typical of early-20th-century Russian notes. The Pick 9c is not a recalled issue, short-lived variant, or limited printing.
Issued during the twilight years of Tsar Nicholas II's reign, this 1905 credit note was guaranteed by the State Bank of the Russian Empire and backed by gold reserves at a fixed rate (1 ruble = 1/3 Imperial, containing 6.424 parts pure gold). The elaborate double-headed eagle coat of arms and imperial heraldry featured on both sides symbolize the authority and legitimacy the Russian state attempted to project during an increasingly unstable period marked by the Russo-Japanese War and growing social unrest. These State Credit Notes (Государственный кредитный билет) represent the last generation of Imperial currency before the monetary collapse following the 1917 Revolution.
The note features the Russian Imperial Double-Headed Eagle with crown and elaborate heraldic shield as the primary symbol, prominently displayed on both sides. The front presents a symmetrically balanced composition with ornamental borders of scrollwork and floral motifs in pink, green, and beige. Decorative rosettes with intricate spiral patterns occupy the lower corners, while a crown-like ornamental design crowns the center. The back features larger ornamental circular designs with complex scroll and spiral work flanking a central red rectangular cartouche containing the legal guarantee text. The entire design is framed by a green ornamental border. No portraits are depicted on this issue; instead, the design emphasizes heraldic symbolism, geometric ornamentation, and text legibility—typical of Russian Imperial credit notes that prioritized security features through engraving complexity rather than portraiture.
FRONT SIDE: 'ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЙ КРЕДИТНЫЙ БИЛЕТ' (State Credit Note) / 'ТРИ РУБЛЯ' (Three Rubles) / '1905' (Year) / Serial number: 'АГ 7138487' (top left and bottom right) / 'ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЙ БАНК РОССИЙСКОЙ ИМПЕРИИ КРЕДИТНЫЕ БИЛЕТЫ НА ЗОЛОТО МОНЕТУ БЕЗ ОГРАНИЧЕНИЯ СУММЫ (1 РУБЛЬ = 1/3 ИМПЕРИАЛА, СОДЕРЖАЩЕ VI, 424 ДОЛЯ ЧИСТОГО ЗОЛОТА)' (State Bank of the Russian Empire credit notes in gold currency without limitation of amount (1 ruble = 1/3 Imperial, containing 6.424 parts pure gold)) / Signature lines marked 'Управляющий' (Director) and 'Кассир' (Cashier). BACK SIDE: Legal text reading: 'I. Размин государственных кредитных билетов на золото монету обеспечивается всеми достояниями государства. II. Государственные кредитные билеты имеют хождение по всей Империи наравне с золото монетом. III. За поддержку кредитных билетов винные подакцизные имеют право состояния и ссмыки в категорному работу.' (I. The issue of state credit notes in gold currency is secured by all the property of the state. II. State credit notes circulate throughout the Empire on equal footing with gold coins. III. To support credit notes, wine excise taxes have certain rights and obligations.)
This note employs advanced intaglio engraving (steel plate engraving) combined with multi-color offset lithography, evidenced by the sharp, precise line work visible throughout, the dimensional quality of the design elements, and the multiple color layers (minimum 4-5 colors identified: cream, pink, green, blue-gray, black, and red). The fine-line engraving is characteristic of Goznak (Russian State Printing Works) production standards for Imperial credit notes. The complex border designs, intricate rosettes, and security features through engraving density represent the state-of-the-art security printing of the Imperial Russian State Bank.
This example is identified as Pick 9c(3), specifically a 1905 issue with signature 'Sig. Gavrilov' (likely Sergei Gavrilov or similar official). The serial number АГ 7138487 with Cyrillic letter prefix 'АГ' (AG) is consistent with known varieties. The 1905 dating and specific signatory constitute the defining characteristics of this variety within the Pick 9c series. No major varieties such as overprints or significant text variations are apparent; this represents a standard production note from the late-Imperial period.
