5 rublei 1909
“Sig.Naumov”
About This Note
This is a VF-graded 5 rublei State Credit Note from 1909, representing a fine example of Imperial Russian monetary design from the final decade before the Revolution. The note displays excellent preservation of its intricate engraved details, with sharp printing of the ornate borders, Imperial double-headed eagle, and heraldic compositions visible on both sides despite age-appropriate creasing and minor foxing. The gold-backed currency text and signatures of Leninsky (Managing Director) and Fedorov (Cashier) are clearly legible, making this a desirable specimen for collectors of Russian Imperial currency or early 20th-century numismatics.
Common. The 5 rublei denomination was a standard circulating note of the Imperial Russian monetary system and was produced in substantial quantities during 1909. Series ГП (GP) represents a standard issue series, not a special limited release. No specific print run limitations or recall circumstances are documented for Pick-10a(18). Notes in VF condition with visible circulation are readily available in the collector market, typically trading in the $15-40 range depending on exact variety and eye appeal. The denomination, year, and condition observed here do not indicate any scarcity factors.
This note was issued during the reign of Tsar Nicholas II under the Tsarist gold standard monetary system, which guaranteed convertibility of State Credit Notes into gold at a fixed rate (1 ruble = 1/15 Imperial, containing 17.424 shares of pure gold). The prominent Imperial double-headed eagle with crown and the complex heraldic shields reflect the power and legitimacy of the Russian autocracy at its height, just seven years before the February Revolution would topple the Romanov dynasty. The State Bank's explicit promise to exchange notes for gold 'without limit of sum' demonstrates the confidence in Imperial finances during this period, before World War I's financial strains destabilized the currency.
The 1909 5 rublei note features the Russian Imperial coat of arms as its central heraldic device on both sides. The obverse centers on the double-headed Imperial eagle wearing a crown, set within an ornamental shield, surrounded by elaborate rococo and baroque scrollwork borders with fine floral patterns. The denomination appears in three locations (top left, top right, and bottom center) within ornate circular medallions with light orange/salmon toning. The reverse presents a more elaborate heraldic composition with the Imperial double-headed eagle positioned at top center, flanked by large laurel wreaths symbolizing imperial authority and triumph. Below is the detailed Russian Imperial coat of arms containing multiple smaller shields representing the constituent kingdoms and territories of the Russian Empire. A purple/magenta rectangular cartouche containing legal text occupies the lower center. The color palette employs pale cream paper with blue-black intaglio printing and purple/magenta accents. No portrait figures appear on this design, which is typical of Imperial Russian state credit notes that relied on heraldic symbolism rather than sovereign portraits.
FRONT SIDE: Denomination circles display '5' in numerals. Year marked as '1909'. Series designation: 'ГП 535769' (Series GP 535769). Main text: 'ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЙ КРЕДИТНЫЙ БИЛЕТ ПЯТЬ РУБЛЕЙ' (State Credit Note Five Rubles). Legal text: 'ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЙ БАНК РАЗМЕНИВАЕТ КРЕДИТНЫЕ БИЛЕТЫ НА ЗОЛОТУЮ МОНЕТУ БЕЗ ОГРАНИЧЕНИЯ СУММЫ (1 РУБЛЬ = 1/15 ИМПЕРИАЛИ, СОДЕРЖИТ 17,424 ДОЛЕЙ ЧИСТОГО ЗОЛОТА)' (The State Bank exchanges credit notes for gold coins without limit of sum [1 ruble = 1/15 imperial, contains 17.424 shares of pure gold]). Signatures: 'Управляющий Ленинский' (Managing Director Leninsky) and 'Кассир Федоров' (Cashier Fedorov). Serial number: 'ГП 535769'. REVERSE SIDE: Denomination '5' in numerals and 'ПЯТЬ РУБЛЕЙ' (Five Rubles). Legal text in purple panel: 'Память государственный кредитный билет в золотую монету обезпечивается золотом, на хранении в государственном казначействе в соответствии с законом от...' (This state credit note in gold currency is secured by gold stored in the state treasury in accordance with the law from [continued in purple panel]).
This note was produced using intaglio engraving, the dominant security printing method for Imperial Russian currency. The fine line work visible throughout the intricate borders, heraldic details, and ornamental scrollwork are characteristic of high-quality intaglio engraving. The multi-color printing—employing blue-black for the primary design and purple/magenta for the legal text panel—indicates separate plate runs or selective inking of different design elements. The sharp detail retention despite over 110 years of age testifies to the quality of the engraved plates and printing execution. The Russian State Bank's printing facilities produced these notes; specific printer attribution would require reference to Russian Imperial printing records.
This specimen is identified as Pick-10a(18), indicating it belongs to the standard 1909 series within the broader 5 rublei type classification. The series designation ГП 535769 places it within a specific print run. The signatures of Leninsky (Управляющий/Managing Director) and Fedorov (Кассир/Cashier) are consistent with documented Imperial State Bank officials of this period. No overprints, replacement markings, or other distinguishing variety markers are evident on this note. The color scheme (blue-black and purple/magenta printing on cream paper) matches the standard specifications for the 1909 issue. Collector notation 'Sig.Naumov' may indicate provenance or a specific collection reference but does not affect the numismatic classification.
