30 kopeek 1918
About This Note
This 30 kopeck note from the Far East Provisional Government (1918) represents an important fractional currency issue from Russia's Civil War period. The note displays excellent condition with sharp, clear printing throughout and no visible wear, featuring an ornate design centered on the double-headed eagle—a symbol of Russian authority—rendered in green ink on cream-colored paper. The intricate engraved borders and fine line work demonstrate the high-quality security printing typical of official government issues from this transitional period.
Common. The Far East Provisional Government issued substantial quantities of fractional notes during 1918-1920 to address circulation shortages, and 30 kopeck denominations were produced in significant numbers. While these notes are historically important, they were not produced in limited quantities relative to demand of the period. Specimens in AU condition are more desirable than heavily circulated examples, but the denomination itself remains readily available to collectors.
Issued by the Far East Provisional Government in 1918 during the Russian Civil War, this 30 kopeck note served as fractional currency when regular banknote supplies were disrupted. The inclusion of the double-headed eagle and the Russian text affirming the note's legal circulation 'equal to credit notes' reflects the government's attempt to establish monetary legitimacy in the Far Eastern territories. The 1918 date coincides with the height of the Civil War and the collapse of centralized Tsarist financial systems, making such regional issues critical for local commerce.
The note features a classical Russian heraldic design centered on the double-headed eagle, the traditional emblem of the Russian state, displayed prominently at the top of the obverse and within a circular frame on the reverse. The eagle is rendered in green ink with detailed plumage and spread wings, symbolizing state authority and legitimacy. The design is framed by an ornate border of interlocking floral patterns and circular corner medallions, each containing the denomination '30' in Cyrillic numerals. The reverse displays the eagle within a circular frame with horizontal line shading patterns providing background texture. The color scheme employs green ink on cream paper, typical of Russian fractional notes from this period. Large numerals '30' flank the eagle on the front, ensuring clear denomination recognition.
FRONT SIDE: 'РАЗМЕННЫЙ ЗНАК' (Exchange Note/Fractional Note); '30' (denomination); 'ТРИДЦАТЬ КОПЕЕК' (Thirty Kopecks); 'ИМЕТЬ ХОЖДЕНИЕ НАРАВНЕ СО КРЕДИТНЫМИ БИЛЕТАМИ' (To have circulation equal to credit notes/banknotes); 'ОБРАЗЦА 1918 ГОДА' (Pattern/Type of 1918 Year). BACK SIDE: '30' (denomination); 'ПОДДАЛКА ПРЕСЛЕДУЕТСЯ ЗАКОНОМ' (Counterfeiting is prosecuted by law).
Intaglio/engraved printing, evidenced by the fine line work, intricate border details, and sharp registration visible throughout both sides. The horizontal shading patterns on the reverse and the delicate rendering of the double-headed eagle's plumage demonstrate the precision achievable through intaglio methods. Security features include complex ornamental framing and fine engraved patterns designed to deter counterfeiting. The printer for Far East Provisional Government notes of this series is not definitively documented in standard catalogs, though such issues were typically produced by state printing facilities or contracted security printers.
No significant varieties are documented for Pick S1243. The standard 1918 issue features the double-headed eagle design as described. Minor variations in paper tone (ranging from cream to pale yellow) occur due to aging and storage conditions but do not constitute cataloged varieties. Serial numbers, if present, are not clearly legible in the visual analysis provided and do not appear to represent distinct cataloged varieties for this Pick number.
