50 kopeek 1923
“pair”
About This Note
This is an AU-graded pair of 50 kopeck notes from 1923, issued by the State Bank of the R.S.F.S.R. during the early Soviet period. The notes display exceptional preservation with crisp, clean impressions showing no wear, creases, or stains—remarkable for nearly century-old currency. The distinctive design features dual circular medallion compositions with fine engraving work, laurel wreaths, and the Soviet state emblem, representing a fascinating transitional period in Russian monetary design.
Common. The 50 kopeck denomination from 1923 (Pick P-155) was part of a regular issue by the State Bank of the R.S.F.S.R. and was produced in substantial quantities to serve everyday circulation needs. While individual notes in AU condition are less common than heavily circulated examples, the denomination itself and the specific issue year are not scarce. The 'pair' notation in the collector notes suggests this particular lot contains two sequential or related examples, which may have slight numismatic interest for collectors of consecutive serial numbers or matching sets, but does not significantly elevate the rarity classification.
Issued in 1923, this note represents the R.S.F.S.R.'s monetary stabilization period following the Russian Civil War and hyperinflation of the early 1920s. The reverse design prominently features the Soviet state emblem surrounded by wheat stalks and the slogan referencing workers and factories, reflecting the Bolshevik ideology emphasizing labor and industrial production. The classical circular coin-like design aesthetic reflects the influence of pre-revolutionary Russian numismatic traditions adapted to serve the new communist state.
The banknote presents a dual circular medallion design on both obverse and reverse, separated by a vertical dotted line. The front features two identical circles with concentric decorative rings and beaded borders, flanked by laurel wreaths symbolizing achievement and valor, with the denomination '50' and 'КОПЕЕК' prominently displayed in the center with ornamental flourishes. The reverse displays the Soviet state emblem (hammer and sickle with wheat wreath or similar socialist iconography) in the center of each circular design, surrounded by wheat or grain stalks on both sides and geometric interlocking patterns, emphasizing Soviet socialist themes of agricultural and industrial production. The entire composition employs fine line engraving with intricate concentric circular patterns creating depth and visual sophistication.
Front side: '50' (denomination), '1923' (year of issue), 'КОПЕЕК' (Kopeck/Kopeks). Reverse side: 'ПЯТИДЕСЯТ КОП.' (Fifty Kopeck), 'ПРОЛЕТАРИЕВ ПРЕДШЕСТВУЮЩЕГО ЗАВОДОВ' (roughly 'Workers of the Preceding Factories' or similar workers-focused slogan emphasizing the proletariat and industrial labor).
Intaglio engraving (deep-relief line engraving), characteristic of high-security banknote production of the period. The fine detail work visible in the concentric circles, ornamental borders, laurel wreaths, and state emblem indicates skilled engraving craftsmanship. This note was produced by Soviet state printing facilities; specific printer attribution would require additional research into R.S.F.S.R. State Bank printing records from 1923.
The visual analysis confirms this is Pick P-155, the standard 1923 50 kopeck issue. No overprints, serial number variations, or signature varieties are evident from the images provided. Collectors should note the specific serial numbers and any printer's marks or control marks if visible on the actual notes, as these details can distinguish minor varieties within this cataloged issue. The AU condition grade and 'pair' designation suggest these may be sequential or related notes of numismatic significance to the collection.
