10 shaliv 1918
Market Prices
4 salesAbout This Note
This Ukrainian State 10 Shaliv banknote from 1918 (Pick P-7) presents a historically significant example of early Ukrainian independence currency with the iconic trident (Tryzub) coat of arms prominently displayed on both sides. The note exhibits UNC condition with minimal wear, though it displays age-appropriate foxing and yellowing consistent with over a century of storage, along with what appears to be archival markings. The ornate orange-brown front design contrasts with the minimalist black-ink reverse, making it an attractive piece for collectors of Eastern European or revolutionary-era currency.
Common. Based on eBay market data showing AUNC examples selling for $10.50–$16.50 and catalog values of $15 in UNC condition, this note is routinely available in the collector market. The Ukrainian State 1918 issues, while historically significant, were produced in sufficient quantities that they remain accessible to collectors at modest price points. The note's presence in multiple sales with varying conditions and the modest hammer prices all indicate widespread availability.
Issued by the Ukrainian People's Republic (Українська Народна Республіка) during the turbulent period of 1918, this banknote represents Ukraine's first attempt at establishing independent monetary sovereignty following the Russian Revolution. The prominent display of the Ukrainian trident (Tryzub) on both the front and back—a symbol of Ukrainian statehood dating back to Kyivan Rus—underscores the nationalist character of this issue. The reverse inscription declaring the note 'circulates equally with ringing coin' reflects the transitional economic conditions and the need to establish confidence in paper currency during a period of political upheaval.
The banknote features the Ukrainian national coat of arms—the trident or Tryzub—as its primary design element, positioned in the upper-center area of the front and upper-left of the reverse. The front presents an ornate rectangular design with decorative floral and geometric patterns filling the corners and border frame in an orange-brown ink on tan/beige paper, with the large denomination numeral '10' displayed prominently at the bottom. The back employs a more austere design with simple black borders and the Tryzub symbol, accompanied by three lines of Cyrillic text guaranteeing the note's circulation value. Both sides use the trident as a security and nationalist symbol.
Front side: 'УКРАЇНСЬКА' (Ukrainian), 'НАРОДНА РЕСПУБЛІКА' (People's Republic), '10' (numerical denomination), 'шалигъ' (shaliv, currency unit). Back side: 'Ходить нарівні з дзвінкою монетою.' (Circulates equally with ringing coin/has the same value as coin currency.)
Typographic/letterpress printing. The sharp, uniform ink application and crisp border lines visible in both the orange-brown front and black-ink reverse are characteristic of early 20th-century typographic printing. The consistent quality of the decorative patterns and text suggests professional printing facilities, likely in Kyiv or another major Ukrainian city during 1918.
This appears to be a standard printing of the 1918 Ukrainian State 10 Shaliv without distinctive variety markers such as signature variations, overprints, or serial number prefixes visible in the provided images. The archival notation '4/10' on the reverse appears to be a collector or museum cataloging mark rather than an original printing variety. No known major varieties are documented for this Pick number, suggesting a single standard issue.
