5 rublei 1918

Common. While provincial Russian credit society notes from 1918 are certainly less frequently encountered than contemporary central government issues, the Pskov Mutual Credit Company appears to have issued notes in reasonable quantities, as evidenced by their survival in various collections and catalogs. The Pick S213 designation and cataloging in standard references indicates this is a recognized type with multiple examples extant. The VF condition grade and survival of both sides in good preservation suggests these notes were produced in sufficient quantities that examples remain relatively obtainable for collectors of Russian Civil War currency.

The Pskov Mutual Credit Company notes represent a unique period in Russian monetary history when local financial institutions issued their own exchange notes backed by government credit certificates, a practice permitted during the economic chaos following the October Revolution. The prominent statement on the reverse that notes were 'secured in full amount by government credit notes stored in the Society' reflects the desperate attempts by provincial institutions to maintain confidence in currency when the central authority's financial systems were collapsing. The expiration date of January 1, 1920 demonstrates the temporary, emergency nature of these issues during the Russian Civil War.

This banknote features a symmetrical ornamental design characteristic of early 20th-century Russian provincial currency, with no portraits or identifiable landmarks. The primary design element is a large decorative numeral '5' rendered in an elaborate cartouche with multiple ornamental framings on both obverse and reverse. The note employs an intricate system of engraved decorative borders composed of floral scrollwork, geometric patterns, and elaborate corner vignettes in coordinated colors. The color palette of peach/tan, sage green, purple/mauve accents, and cream creates a sophisticated aesthetic that was typical of Mutual Credit Society notes. Corner denominations in decorative boxes reinforce the note's value, and the overall design emphasizes security through ornamental complexity rather than through modern anti-counterfeiting features.

FRONT SIDE: 'БАНКОВЫЙ РАЗМѢННЫЙ БИЛЀТЪ' (Bank Exchange Note) | '5 РУБЛЕЙ' (5 Rubles) | '15 МАРТА НС' (March 15) | '№ ББ 27070' (Serial No. BB 27070) | 'Председатель О.Шарапой' (Chairman O. Sharapov) | 'Директора: Керанский' (Director: Keransky) | '1918г.' (1918). BACK SIDE: 'ПСКОВСКОЕ ОБЩЕСТВО ВЗАИМНОГО КРЕДИТА' (Pskov Society of Mutual Credit) | 'Выпущенные раз мѣнные билеты обезпечены в полной сумм государственными кредитными знаками, хранящимися в Обществѣ.' (Issued exchange notes are secured in full amount by government credit notes stored in the Society.) | 'Билеты обмѣниваются въ Обществѣ на государственные кредитные знаки крупного достоинства на неграниченную сумму.' (Notes are exchanged in the Society for government credit notes of large denomination in unlimited quantity.) | 'ПЯТЬ РУБЛЕЙ' (Five Rubles) | 'Срок обращения и послѣдний срок обмѣна 1 Января 1920 г. Послѣ означенного срока билеты недѣйствительны. Подлжка билетов преслѣдуется законом' (Circulation period and final exchange deadline January 1, 1920. After the stated date notes are invalid. Counterfeiting of notes is prosecuted by law.)

This note was produced using traditional engraved intaglio printing with multi-color printing technique, evident from the precise registration of the peach, sage green, gray-blue, and cream colors, as well as the fine detail visible in the ornamental border patterns and scrollwork. The sharp, crisp impression of the numerals and text indicates high-quality steel plate engraving typical of Russian and European security printers of the period. The printer for Pskov Mutual Credit notes has not been definitively documented in readily available catalogs, though the technical quality suggests work by a competent Russian or potentially European security printer contracted for provincial issues.

Serial number BB 27070 is noted on the obverse. The signature variety shows Chairman O. Sharapov and Director Keransky. The date marking reads '15 МАРТА' (March 15) with the year 1918. This particular specimen appears to represent the standard variety for this denomination and issuer; no overprints or significant printing varieties are evident from the visual analysis. The specific serial letter prefix 'ББ' may indicate a printing series, though without access to comprehensive serial number documentation for this issuer, further variety classification cannot be determined.