5 rublei 1920
About This Note
This is an exceptionally well-preserved example of the 5 Rublei issued by the Far East Provisional Government in 1920, graded AU. The note features striking turquoise and pale pink coloring with ornate classical engraving throughout, displaying double-headed eagles and a fortified structure on the reverse. The crisp printing, vibrant colors, and complete absence of significant wear make this an attractive example of Russian Civil War-era currency.
Common. The Far East Provisional Government issued notes in significant quantities during 1920 to facilitate regional commerce, and this denomination appears regularly in the numismatic market. While notes from short-lived regional authorities may command modest collector premiums over face value, examples in AU condition are regularly available. The relatively high serial number (181728) suggests substantial print runs. No specific supply constraints or recalls are known for this Pick number.
This credit note was issued during the tumultuous Russian Civil War period by the Far East Provisional Government, a White Army-aligned regional authority. The reverse's prominent fortress imagery and the front's imperial double-headed eagles reflect the anti-Bolshevik character of the issuer, while the back's printed decrees—stating that gold exchange had ceased and that counterfeiting carried sentences of hard labor—reveal the desperation of a collapsing regime attempting to maintain currency credibility. This note represents a final gasp of Imperial-era monetary symbolism in the Russian Far East before Bolshevik consolidation.
The obverse features a classical State Credit Note design centered on Imperial Russian heraldic symbolism. Twin double-headed eagles appear in circular medallions on both left and right sides, flanking an ornamental heraldic shield at top center. The denomination '5' is prominently displayed in decorative corner ornaments. The note utilizes a two-color field with turquoise/blue-green borders framing a pale pink/salmon central band, creating strong visual distinction. The reverse showcases a fortress or fortified stronghold with crenellated walls and domed gateway on the left side, symbolizing regional authority and stability—likely representing a Far Eastern military installation. A large double-headed eagle with fully outstretched wings dominates the center, reinforcing Imperial legitimacy. Decorative urns with floral motifs occupy the corners. The denomination '5' appears in circular cartouches in upper and lower right corners. Both sides employ extensive ornamental scrollwork and fine-line engraving throughout the borders.
FRONT SIDE: 'ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЙ КРЕДИТНЫЙ БИЛЕТЬ' (State Credit Note); 'ПЯТЬ РУБЛЕЙ' (Five Rubles) - appears multiple times; 'ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЙ БАНК РАЗМНОЖИВАЕТ КРЕДИТНЫЕ БИЛЕТЫ НА ЗОЛОТУЮ МОНЕТУ БЕЗ ОГРАНИЧЕНИЯ СУММЫ (1РУБЛЬ =1/15 ИМПЕРИАЛЙ, СОДЕРЖИТ 17.424 ДОЛЕЙ ЧИСТАГО ЗОЛОТА)' (The State Bank reproduces credit notes for gold currency without limit of sum [1 ruble = 1/15 imperial, contains 17.424 parts pure gold]); 'СЕРІЯ-В.А.' (Series BA); '№181728' (Serial number 181728); 'Управляющий' (Director); 'Кассир' (Cashier). BACK SIDE: 'ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЙ КРЕДИТНЫЙ БИЛЕТЬ' (State Credit Note); 'ПЯТЬ РУБЛЕЙ' (Five Rubles); '1920 г.' (1920); '1. РАЗМЪНЫ ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫХ КРЕДИТНЫХ БИЛЕТОВ НА ЗОЛОТУЮ МОНЕТУ ПРЕКРАЩЕНЫ' (1. Exchange of state credit notes for gold currency is discontinued); '2. ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЕ КРЕДИТНЫЕ БИЛЕТЫ ИМЕЮТ ХОЖДЕНИЕ ПО ВСЕЙ РОССИЙСКОЙ ФЕДЕРАЦИИ НА ОСНОВАНИИ ДЕКРЕТА СОВЕТА НАРОДНЫХ КОМИССАРОВ' (2. State credit notes circulate throughout the Russian Federation on the basis of a decree of the Council of People's Commissars); '3. ЗА ПОДДЕЛКУ КРЕДИТНЫХ БИЛЕТОВ ВИНОВНЫЕ ПОДВЕРГАЮТСЯ ЛИШЕНИЮ ВСЕХ ПРАВ СОСТОЯНИЯ И ССЫЛКИ В КАТОРЖНУЮ РАБОТУ' (3. Those guilty of counterfeiting credit notes are subject to deprivation of all civil rights and exile to hard labor).
Intaglio engraving with multi-color offset printing. The note displays the characteristic fine line work, depth of impression, and ornamental complexity typical of high-security banknote production of the period. The two-color scheme (turquoise and pink/salmon) was achieved through separate printing passes. The note exhibits the refined engraving techniques employed by Imperial Russian security printers, with complex border designs and architectural detail rendering that would have been produced by a specialized banknote printer—likely a continuation of Imperial printing operations under regional White authority.
Series BA, Serial number 181728. The series designation 'В.А.' (BA in Cyrillic) indicates a specific printing series. The signature lines for 'Управляющий' (Director) and 'Кассир' (Cashier) appear blank or partially signed, which is typical for this issue. Known varieties of this Pick number include different series designations and signature combinations; collectors should document series letters and any hand-signed examples separately, as authentication of actual signatures versus printed signature lines is an important cataloging detail for this issue.
