100 rublei 1921
About This Note
A Soviet 100 Rublei note from 1921, issued by the State Treasury during the early years of the Russian SFSR. The note displays the characteristic ornate border design typical of early Soviet currency, with an orange-tan color scheme and prominent Soviet hammer-and-sickle emblem. In VF condition, this note shows appropriate aging patina consistent with its century-old provenance, with minimal wear and no significant damage.
Common. The 100 Rublei 1921 (Pick P-109) was produced in substantial quantities for general circulation during the early Soviet period. No evidence of limited print runs, recalls, or short-lived issue exists. This denomination and year remain relatively accessible to collectors in the market.
This 1921 banknote was issued during the tumultuous early Soviet period, following the Russian Civil War and the establishment of the RSFSR. The inscription 'Is secured by all the wealth of the Republic' reflects the ideological commitment to backing currency with state resources rather than precious metals. The prominent hammer-and-sickle emblem and 'Settlement Note' designation emphasize the transitional nature of Soviet monetary policy during the period of War Communism and the introduction of the New Economic Policy.
The front features a formal, symmetrical design dominated by an ornate border of geometric and floral patterns rendered in orange and tan tones. The central element displays the denomination '100' in large numerals, flanked by Russian text. The most prominent symbol is the Soviet state emblem on the right side: a hammer and sickle within a wreath, representing the union of workers and peasants under communist ideology. The reverse is blank, showing only the natural tan paper with a visible crosshatch weave texture characteristic of early 20th-century banknote paper stock.
FRONT SIDE: 'СТО РУБЛЕЙ' (One Hundred Rubles) — appears twice, top and bottom; 'РАСЧЕТНЫЙ ЗНАК' (Settlement Note / Calculation Sign); '100' (Arabic numeral denomination); 'ОБЕСПЕЧИВАЕТСЯ ВСЕМ ДОСТОЯНИЕМ РЕСПУБЛИКИ' (Is secured by all the wealth of the Republic); '1921' (year of issue). BACK SIDE: No inscriptions present.
Letterpress or offset lithography, typical of early Soviet banknote production. The clean line work of the border patterns and the crisp definition of the hammer-and-sickle emblem suggest professional security printing. The noted paper texture with crosshatch weave pattern was deliberately incorporated as a security feature to prevent counterfeiting.
No specific varieties (such as signature variants, serial number prefixes, or overprints) are visible in the provided images. The note appears to be a standard issue without distinguishing variety markers. Further examination of serial numbers and potential signature variations would be required to identify any specific sub-variety classification.
