5 rublei 1918
“Turkestan”
About This Note
This is a 5 Rublei banknote issued in 1918 by the Tashkent State Bank Branch during the Russian Revolution's Turkestan period. The note features a classical female bust on the obverse and ornamental design elements throughout, printed in blue-gray on a beige/tan background with fine crosshatch security patterns. While the catalog lists this as UNC, the visual analysis reveals age-related patina and discoloration consistent with preserved early 20th-century currency rather than pristine condition, making this an authentic period piece from a significant transitional moment in Central Asian monetary history.
Common. Regional Soviet and post-Soviet banknotes from 1918-1920, particularly those from Turkestan, were produced in substantial quantities to facilitate commerce during the transition period. While historically significant, these notes were widely circulated and preserved, and examples are readily available to collectors. The Tashkent issues, though geographically specific, did not undergo major recalls or destruction campaigns that would create scarcity. Pick catalog inclusion and multiple examples in private collections confirm common availability.
This banknote was issued by the Provisional National Government of Turkestan in 1918, a tumultuous period following the Russian Revolution when various regional authorities issued their own currency. The inscription references the 'Turkestan Soviet Republic' and identifies the issuer as operating from Tashkent, reflecting the contested political authority in Central Asia. The classical female bust symbolizes liberty or state authority, a common motif during the Russian revolutionary period as new governments sought to establish legitimacy through symbolic imagery.
The obverse features a neoclassical female bust sculpture mounted on a pedestal, rendered in profile facing left, symbolizing liberty or national personification. Below the bust is a double-headed eagle coat of arms with a spade suit symbol, representing state authority. The reverse displays a large ornamental numeral '5' surrounded by classical scrollwork, leaf motifs, and flourishes typical of early 20th-century Russian banknote design. Both sides feature symmetrical ornamental frames with fine decorative borders. The fine crosshatch background patterns on the obverse and stippled/dotted patterns on the reverse serve as security features against counterfeiting.
Front Side: 'ВРЕМЕННОЕ НАЦИОНАЛЬНОЕ ПРАВИТЕЛЬСТВО' (Provisional National Government); 'ТУРКЕСТАН' (Turkestan); 'СВОБОДНЫЙ' (Free); '5 РУБЛЕЙ' (5 Rubles); 'БВ' (initials, likely of engraver); '7318' (serial number); '1918' (year); 'Астана' (Astana/capital). Back Side: 'ПЯТЬ РУБЛЕЙ' (Five Rubles); '1918' (year); 'Выпущено в 1918 году в городе Ташкента постановлением Совета Народных Комиссаров Туркестанской Советской Республики' (Issued in 1918 in the city of Tashkent by decree of the Council of People's Commissars of the Turkestan Soviet Republic).
Intaglio engraving, characteristic of high-security banknote production of the period. The fine line work visible in the crosshatch patterns, the intricate engraving of the classical bust, and the detailed ornamental elements indicate professional security printing. The multi-color printing in blue-gray and beige/tan suggests separate printing passes, typical of Russian State Bank production methods of this era.
The serial number '7318' and initials 'БВ' visible on this example may indicate a specific printing run or engraver signature. The reference to 'Астана' (Astana) as the capital location is notable. Pick catalog P-S1153 typically encompasses the standard 1918 Tashkent 5 Ruble issue; variations may exist in serial number ranges, signature blocks, or minor design elements, but this appears to be the primary variety for this denomination and issuer from this year.
