250 rublei 1921
About This Note
This is a Russian R.S.F.S.R. 250 Rublei note from 1921, graded UNC, showcasing the early Soviet aesthetic with its striking green and tan color scheme and ornate geometric borders. The note's centerpiece features a circular emblem with hammer and sickle surrounded by a laurel wreath, symbolizing the newly established Soviet state. In uncirculated condition with uniform coloration and only minor age-related discoloration consistent with a century-old note, this example represents a well-preserved specimen from the transitional period of Soviet currency.
Common. The 1921 250 Rublei issue (P-110a) was part of a substantial emission during the early Soviet period and appears regularly in the numismatic market. While banknotes from this era have surviving examples due to their historical significance, this specific denomination and date were issued in sufficient quantities that examples in various conditions remain accessible to collectors. UNC examples command modest premiums over circulated specimens but are not rare.
Issued by the R.S.F.S.R. State Treasury in 1921, this note reflects the early consolidation of Soviet power following the Russian Civil War and represents the period when the Bolsheviks were establishing their monetary authority. The hammer and sickle emblem surrounded by a laurel wreath directly symbolizes the revolutionary ideals and the victory of the working class, while the guarantee statement 'Is guaranteed by all the property of the Republic' reflects the Soviet government's assertion of control over national resources. This denomination and design are characteristic of the 1921 issue, marking a transitional phase in Soviet currency before the more standardized designs of subsequent years.
The obverse features an ornate decorative border composed of repeating interlocking geometric patterns in green ink, creating an elaborate frame for the central composition. The dominant design element is a circular state emblem featuring the hammer and sickle (the Soviet symbol of worker and peasant unity) at its center, enclosed within a laurel wreath representing victory and honor. The denomination '250' and full text 'ДВЕСТИ ПЯТЬДЕСЯТ РУБЛЕЙ' (250 Rubles) are symmetrically arranged around this emblem, with the year 1921 and the guarantee statement positioned prominently. The reverse is plain with a subtle woven or crosshatch texture pattern characteristic of period banknote paper, bearing no imagery or text. The light tan/beige background with green printing creates a distinctly early Soviet aesthetic.
Front Side: 'ДВЕСТИ ПЯТЬДЕСЯТ РУБЛЕЙ' (Two Hundred Fifty Rubles) — appears twice symmetrically; 'РАСЧЕТНЫЙ ЗНАК' (Settlement Sign/Accounting Note); '250' (numeric denomination); 'РУБЛЕЙ' (Rubles); '1921' (year of issue); 'ОБЕСПЕЧИВАЕТСЯ ВСЕМ ДОСТОЯНИЕМ РЕСПУБЛИКИ' (Is Guaranteed by All the Property of the Republic). Back Side: No inscriptions present.
Letterpress and intaglio engraving techniques, typical of the era. The ornate geometric borders and the circular emblem show characteristics of fine line engraving, while the text was likely rendered through letterpress. The subtle crosshatch texture on the reverse suggests security printing practices of the period designed to prevent counterfeiting. Based on the Pick catalog reference, this note was produced under the authority of the R.S.F.S.R. State Treasury's approved security printing facilities.
This note corresponds to Pick catalog P-110a, the standard 1921 issue of the 250 Rublei denomination from the R.S.F.S.R. State Treasury. Varieties within this issue may include differences in signature blocks, serial number prefixes, or subtle printing variations typical of the period, though the visual analysis provided does not display sufficient detail to identify specific variety markers such as signatures or serial numbers. Collectors should verify serial number ranges and any signature variations against specialized Soviet currency catalogs for precise variety attribution.
