25 rublei 1947

Common. The 1947 25 ruble note (Pick P-227) was issued in substantial quantities as part of the post-war Soviet currency system and remains readily available in the collector market. No evidence of limited print runs, recall actions, or short-lived issuing authority status exists. AU-graded examples are relatively common for this denomination and period, and the note circulates freely in the secondary market at modest values, consistent with mass-produced Soviet banknotes of the Stalin era.

This 1947 issue represents the Soviet State Bank's post-war currency stabilization, issued during Stalin's regime when the USSR was reasserting economic control after World War II. The prominent display of the Soviet coat of arms with hammer and sickle symbolizes the communist state's authority, while the formal portrait and ornate classical design reflect the Soviet aesthetic of this period. The inclusion of text warning that counterfeiting 'is prosecuted by law' (ПОДЕЛЕНА БИЛЕТОВ...ПРЕСЛЕДУЕТСЯ ПО ЗАКОНУ) underscores the state's strict control over currency production during the Cold War's early years.

The obverse features a formal three-quarter profile portrait of a bearded man in business attire (suit and tie) positioned on the left side, rendered in the neoclassical style favored by Soviet designers. The portrait is framed within an ornate border of scrollwork and floral motifs typical of 1940s Soviet currency design. Denomination numerals '25' appear in the upper and lower left corners. The reverse displays the Soviet state emblem centrally—the hammer and sickle contained within a circular wreath of wheat or laurel sprigs—symbolizing the union of workers and peasants. Ornamental frames with elaborate sunburst or star designs frame large numerals '25' on both sides of the composition. The dual-language inscriptions (Russian and Ukrainian karbovanets equivalent) reflect the multi-ethnic Soviet federation. Fine line engraving throughout creates the characteristic intaglio texture visible in high-quality impressions.

FRONT SIDE: '25' (denomination in corners); 'ДВАДЦАТЬ ПЯТЬ РУБЛЕЙ' (Twenty-five rubles). BACK SIDE: 'Билет Государственного Банка СССР' (Note of the State Bank of the USSR); 'ДВАДЦАТЬ ПЯТЬ РУБЛЕЙ' (Twenty-five rubles); 'ДВАДЦАТЬ ПЯТЬ КАРБОВАНЦЕВ' (Twenty-five karbovanets - Ukrainian denomination equivalent); Serial number 'ГГ 369390' (appears twice); '1947' (year of issue); '25' (denomination); 'ПОДЕЛЕНА БИЛЕТОВ ГОСУДАРСТВЕННОГО БАНКА СССР ПРЕСЛЕДУЕТСЯ ПО ЗАКОНУ' (Counterfeiting of State Bank of USSR notes is prosecuted by law).

This note was produced using intaglio (relief) engraving and multi-color offset lithography. The fine line work, detailed portraits, and complex ornamental borders are characteristic of high-security intaglio printing. The reverse employs multi-color printing with at least four colors (dark blue, green, red, and black/cream), typical of Soviet State Bank security printing practices. The State Bank of the USSR employed its own printing facilities and contracted with authorized security printers for currency production; this 1947 issue was produced under strict state control with security features including serial number duplication, ornate background patterns, and the counterfeit warning text.

The observed specimen carries serial number ГГ 369390 with prefix 'ГГ' (Cyrillic letters G-G). Soviet banknotes of this era employed various serial number prefixes and suffixes that can indicate printing batches or security series, though comprehensive cataloging of all varieties for P-227 is not fully standardized in numismatic literature. The 1947 date is consistent across all known examples of this issue. No overprints, signature variations, or other distinguishing varieties are evident in this specimen; it represents a standard printing of the base type.