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1 rubel 1947

Europe › Russia (Soviet Union)
P-2161947State BankAU
1 rubel 1947 from Russia (Soviet Union), P-216 (1947) — image 1
1 rubel 1947 from Russia (Soviet Union), P-216 (1947) — image 2

About This Note

This is a Soviet 1 Ruble banknote from 1947 (Pick #216), presented in AU (About Uncirculated) condition with excellent preservation showing no significant wear, tears, or creasing. The note features the iconic Soviet state emblem with hammer and sickle prominently displayed on both sides, surrounded by elaborate ornamental borders in tan, beige, and blue tones. The vibrant colors and intricate geometric patterns remain sharp and well-defined, making this an attractive example of mid-20th century Soviet currency design.

Rarity

Common. The 1947 Soviet 1 Ruble (Pick #216) was part of a large-scale emission by the Soviet State Bank and remains widely available in the collector market. The denomination, as the lowest face value in the series, was printed in substantial quantities to serve everyday commerce throughout the USSR. Notes in AU condition are readily obtainable, typically trading for modest prices on the numismatic market. There is no evidence of limited print runs, early recall, or short-lived issuing authority that would elevate rarity.

Historical Context

Issued by the Soviet State Bank in 1947, two years after World War II's conclusion, this banknote reflects the USSR's assertion of economic authority during the early Cold War period. The prominent hammer and sickle emblem, wreath, and star symbolized Soviet socialist ideology and state power, while the multi-language inscriptions (in Russian, various Soviet languages, and Baltic languages) reinforced the Union's multinational character. The official legal backing text on the reverse emphasizes state guarantee and mandatory acceptance throughout Soviet territories, reflecting the centralized control of the socialist economy.

Design

The 1947 Soviet 1 Ruble note showcases a masterwork of socialist propaganda design. The obverse features the Soviet State Emblem—a hammer and sickle encircled by a laurel wreath with a radiant star above—as the central focal point, positioned against a warm tan and cream background. Elaborate scrollwork and floral leaf designs in blue and gold frame the emblem on both sides, creating an ornate cartouche. The reverse depicts the hammer and sickle symbol at the center of a dramatic sunburst or wheat sheaf radiating design, symbolizing agricultural and industrial productivity. A large decorative blue border with elaborate corner scrollwork and central ornamental elements frames the composition. The legal backing text occupies a central text panel, reinforcing the state's guarantee of the currency. No portraits are featured; instead, the design relies entirely on symbolic representation of Soviet state power and socialist ideology. The multilingual text in Russian, various Soviet republics' languages (Ukrainian, Belarusian, Georgian, Armenian, Azerbaijani, Kazakh, Uzbek, Turkmen, Tajik, Kyrgyz), and Baltic languages (Lithuanian, Latvian, Estonian) underscores the multinational character of the USSR.

Inscriptions

{"front":{"primary":"Государственный казначейский билет (State Treasury Bill)","denomination_russian":"ОДИН РУБЛЬ (One Ruble)","country":"СССР (USSR)","multilingual_denominations":"Inscriptions in multiple Soviet languages including Ukrainian (ОДИН КАРБОВАНЕЦ), various Caucasian and Central Asian languages (БІР МАНАТ, БІР СУМ, ЯҚ СУМ, БІР СОМ, ҮКӘІ РУБЛА, О РУБЛО), and Baltic languages (VIENAS RUBLIUS, VIENS RUBLIS, ÜKS RUBLA)","year":"1947","serial_number":"Ь С 489447"},"back":{"legal_backing":"ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЕ КАЗНАЧЕЙСКИЕ БИЛЕТЫ ОБЕСПЕЧИВАЮТСЯ ВСЕМ ДОСТОЯНИЕМ СОЮЗА ССР И ОБЯЗАТЕЛЬНЫ К ПРИЕМУ НА ВСЕЙ ТЕРРИТОРИИ СССР ВО ВСЕ ПЛАТЕЖИ ДЛЯ ВСЕХ УЧРЕЖДЕНИЙ, ПРЕДПРИЯТИЙ И ЛИЦ ПО НАРИЦАТЕЛЬНОЙ СТОИМОСТИ (State Treasury Bills are secured by all property of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and are obligatory for acceptance throughout the territory of the USSR in all payments for all institutions, enterprises and individuals at face value)","legal_provision":"ПОДДЕРЖКА ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫХ КАЗНАЧЕЙСКИХ БИЛЕТОВ ПРЕДУСМОТРЕНА ПО ЗАКОНУ (Support of State Treasury Bills is provided by law)","denomination":"ОДИН РУБЛЬ (One Ruble) and numeral 1"}}

Printing Technique

Based on the observed intricate geometric patterns, complex ornamental borders, and fine detail work, this note was produced using intaglio printing (engraved plate printing), the standard security printing technique for Soviet currency. The high-quality definition of the scrollwork, the precise line work in decorative elements, and the layered color application visible in the images are characteristic of intaglio production. Soviet State Bank notes of this period were typically printed by the USSR's premier security printers, with the 1947 series likely produced by the State Security Printing Works (Государственный Знак) in Moscow.

Varieties

The observed serial number is 'Ь С 489447' (Cyrillic letter Ь + C + six-digit number), representing a standard Soviet serial numbering system. Soviet 1947 rubles exist with various serial number combinations and letter prefixes; significant varieties may be distinguished by different series letters or color variations, but the example shown represents a typical circulating variety. No specific overprints, signature variations, or known major varieties have been documented for this Pick number that would distinguish this note from standard production.