10 rublei 1922
About This Note
This 10 Rublei note from 1922 represents an important early Soviet currency issue from the R.S.F.S.R. State Bank, featuring a striking Art Deco-influenced design with a spread-winged eagle and hammer-and-sickle symbolism rendered in red and pink tones. The specimen exhibits VF condition with visible aging, creasing, edge wear, and foxing consistent with genuine circulation from this revolutionary period, making it a historically significant artifact despite the wear.
Common. The 1922 10 Rublei (Pick P-149) was produced in substantial quantities by the R.S.F.S.R. State Bank as a standard circulation issue during the monetary stabilization period following War Communism. These notes remain relatively available in the numismatic market in various conditions, with VF specimens being moderately obtainable rather than scarce.
Issued in 1922 during the early Soviet period following the Russian Revolution and Civil War, this note reflects the new communist state's iconography through the prominent eagle with spread wings and hammer-and-sickle symbols. The formal inscription 'ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЙ ДЕНЕЖНЫЙ ЗНАК' (State Money Sign) and the 'Р.С.Ф.С.Р.' designation emphasize the legitimacy of the newly-formed Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic's monetary authority during the transitional period of War Communism's aftermath.
The obverse features an ornamental Soviet eagle with outstretched wings positioned at the top center, symbolizing state authority and power. Below this is integrated a hammer-and-sickle emblem representing the worker and peasant classes. The denomination '10' is prominently displayed in the center in large numerals. The entire design is framed by intricate geometric and floral border patterns characteristic of early Soviet decorative art. The reverse presents a uniform field of repeating diamond or quilted geometric patterns, a common security feature of the period. The color scheme employs red and dark red/maroon tones on a cream background, colors deeply associated with Soviet communist ideology.
Front Side: '10' (denomination in Arabic numerals); 'РУБ' (RUB - rubles in abbreviated Cyrillic); 'Р.С.Ф.С.Р.' (R.S.F.S.R. - Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic); 'ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЙ ДЕНЕЖНЫЙ ЗНАК' (State Money Sign); '1922' (year of issue in Arabic numerals); 'ПОДДЕЛКА ПРЕСЛЕДУЕТСЯ ПО ЗАКОНУ.' (Counterfeiting is prosecuted by law.) Back Side: No inscriptions present; design consists entirely of repeating geometric diamond/quilted pattern.
This note was produced using letterpress or surface printing techniques, as evidenced by the crisp definition of fine line work visible in the border patterns and geometric designs. The multiple layers of decorative elements and the intricate geometric patterns suggest careful plate engraving and multi-pass printing. The consistent pattern on the reverse indicates orderly mechanical reproduction typical of State Bank printing operations of this era.
No specific signature varieties, serial number prefixes, or dated overprints are visible in the visual analysis. The note appears to represent the standard 1922 issue without identifiable sub-varieties based on the design elements observed. Collectors should note the presence of the counterfeit warning clause ('ПОДДЕЛКА ПРЕСЛЕДУЕТСЯ ПО ЗАКОНУ'), which is present on the issued notes of this series.
