1 rubel 1919
About This Note
This is a Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic 100 rubles note from 1919 (Pick P-101(3)), graded in AU condition. The note features striking ornamental numerals and a beige/tan background with clear, well-preserved printing in black, red, and green inks. The reverse displays the iconic Soviet hammer and sickle emblem surrounded by the famous revolutionary slogan in five languages, making this a historically significant example of early Soviet monetary propaganda.
Common. The 1919 100 rubles notes (Pick P-101 series) were issued in substantial quantities during the Russian Civil War period, and many examples survive in circulation grades today. This specific variety (P-101(3)) represents one of several printings from 1919, and while AU condition specimens command modest premiums over lower grades, the note itself is not scarce. International supply is steady in the collector market, with examples typically trading at moderate prices reflective of common status.
Issued during the Russian Civil War period by the R.S.F.S.R., this note represents the Soviet state's attempt to establish monetary authority in the newly formed communist state. The reverse's multi-language proclamation of 'Proletarians of all countries, unite!' and the prominent hammer and sickle emblem reflect the revolutionary government's ideological commitment to international communism. The 'Settlement Mark' (Расчётный знак) designation indicates this was currency backed by the state property of the Republic during a period of extreme economic instability.
The front features a formal, austere design typical of early Soviet currency, with the denomination (100 rubles) prominently displayed in large ornamental numerals on the right side. Official titles and signature lines for the People's Commissar of Finance and Cashier appear on the left, establishing governmental authority. The reverse is more visually elaborate, dominated by the Soviet state emblem—a hammer and sickle enclosed within a laurel wreath with a banner—positioned above an ornamental oval frame containing the denomination 3,000 in decorative red and green numerals. The revolutionary message 'Proletarians of all countries, unite!' appears in five languages (Russian, German, French, Italian, and English), reflecting the international aspirations of the Bolshevik revolution. The warning against counterfeiting appears in Russian at the bottom, indicating early state concerns about currency fraud.
FRONT: 'РАСЧЁТНЫЙ ЗНАК' (Settlement Mark/Calculation Token); 'РОССИЙСКОЙ СОЦИАЛИСТИЧЕСКОЙ ФЕДЕРАТИВНОЙ СОВЕТСКОЙ РЕСПУБЛИКИ' (Of the Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic); 'СТО РУБЛЕЙ' (One Hundred Rubles); 'ОБЕСПЕЧИВАЕТСЯ ВСЕМ ДОСТОЯНИЕМ РЕСПУБЛИКИ' (Is secured by all the property of the Republic); 'НАРОДНЫЙ КОМИССАР ФИНАНСОВ' (People's Commissar of Finance); 'КАССИР' (Cashier); Serial number 'АА-013'; '1919' (Year). BACK: 'ПРОЛЕТАРИЙ ВСЕХ СТРАН СОЕДИНЯЙТЕСЬ!' (Proletarians of all countries, unite!) in Russian; 'PРОЛЕТАРИЕ ALLER LÄNDER, VEREINIGT EUCH!' (German version); 'PROLÉTAIRES DE TOUS LES PAYS, UNISSEZ VOUS!' (French version); 'PROLETARII DI TUTTI PAESI, UNITEVI!' (Italian version); 'WORKERS OF THE WORLD, UNITE!' (English version); 'ПОДДЕЛКА РАСЧЁТНЫХ ЗНАКОВ ПРЕСЛЕДУЕТСЯ ПО ЗАКОНУ.' (Counterfeiting of settlement marks is prosecuted by law.); '3000' (Three Thousand).
This note was produced using letterpress printing, evidenced by the crisp, clearly defined ornamental numerals, sharp registration of the multi-color elements (red and green inks on the reverse), and the characteristic impression visible in well-preserved examples. The ornamental borders and decorative frames show the fine detail capability of high-quality letterpress work typical of early 20th-century state security printing. The Soviet state security printer for 1919 issues was typically the State Printing Works (Государственная типография) in Petrograd/Moscow.
This is Pick P-101(3), representing the third printing variety of the 1919 100 rubles note. The serial number prefix 'АА' (AA) and the specific serial number 'АА-013' help identify this within the 1919 issue. Varieties of this note are primarily distinguished by printing date variations within 1919, signature variations of the officials, and serial number prefix changes. The presence of the multi-language reverse (with German, French, Italian, and English versions of the communist slogan) is characteristic of the standard 1919 issue design and not a distinguishing feature between varieties.
