25 rublei 1922

Common. The 1922 25 ruble denomination (Pick P-131) represents a standard issue from the early Soviet period with substantial print runs to facilitate commerce during economic stabilization. These notes circulated widely throughout the 1920s and remain readily available to collectors. While historically significant, they do not command premium prices characteristic of rare or short-run notes, and examples in circulated condition are frequently encountered in the market.

Issued during the Russian Civil War's aftermath and the early New Economic Policy period, this 1922 note reflects the Soviet state's attempt to stabilize currency after years of hyperinflation. The inscriptions emphasize state authority—'State Monetary Note' and 'Secured by all the property of the Republic'—and notably include the redenomination scale on the reverse explaining that one 1922 ruble equals 10,000 pre-reform rubles, illustrating the severity of monetary collapse. The prominent warning against counterfeiting and signatures of the People's Commissar of Finance underscore the government's effort to establish credibility for its new monetary system.

The 25 ruble note features a symmetrical design dominated by elaborate engraved scrollwork and floral motifs in brown and tan tones. The denomination '25' appears in large numerals within ornamental cartouches positioned on both the left and right sides of the front, and repeated in all four corners on the reverse. The center of both sides contains rectangular text panels with official inscriptions. At the top center of the front is positioned the Imperial double-headed eagle or state seal, a heraldic symbol retained from Tsarist coinage traditions and repurposed by the Soviet state. The intricate border framework consists of fine-line engraving work typical of late 19th-century currency design, representing a continuation of Imperial Russian banknote aesthetics. The reverse provides crucial historical context through its redenomination text, explaining the exchange rate mechanism necessitated by monetary reform.

FRONT SIDE: 'ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЙ ДЕНЕЖНЫЙ ЗНАК' (State Monetary Note); 'ДВАДЦАТЬ ПЯТЬ РУБЛЕЙ' (Twenty-Five Rubles); 'ОБЕСПЕЧИВАЕТСЯ ВСЕМ ДОСТОЯНИЕМ РЕСПУБЛИКИ' (Secured by all the property of the Republic); 'НАРОДНЫЙ КОМИССАР ФИНАНСОВ' (People's Commissar of Finance); 'КАССИР' (Cashier); Serial number 'ГА-1023'. BACK SIDE: 'Один рубль выпуска 1922 г.' (One ruble of the 1922 issue); 'равен 10.000 рублей всех ранее выпущенных образцов и обязателен к приему, согласно этого расчета, для учреждений Республики и частных лиц.' (equals 10,000 rubles of all previously issued specimens and is mandatory for acceptance by Republic institutions and private persons according to this calculation); 'ПОДДЕЛКА ПРЕСЛЕДУЕТСЯ ПО ЗАКОНУ.' (Counterfeiting is prosecuted by law); '1922'; 'РУБЛЯ' and 'РУБЛЕЙ' (Rubles).

Intaglio engraving (steel plate engraving) combined with letterpress for text elements. The fine line work, detailed scrollwork, and ornamental borders visible throughout the note are characteristic of intaglio production. The State Treasury of the Russian SFSR contracted with established security printers, likely utilizing equipment and techniques inherited from Imperial Russian State Bank printing operations. Multiple signatures were added via engraved plates to authenticate official authorization.

This specific example bears the serial number prefix 'ГА' (GA) with number 1023. The 1922 25 ruble issue is known with various signature combinations representing different officeholders in the People's Commissariat of Finance and Treasury positions. Varieties exist based on signature combinations and potentially serial number prefixes, though the P-131(1) designation suggests this represents the primary standard variety. The catalog notation P-131(1) indicates this is the first cataloged variety of the 25 ruble 1922 denomination.