25 rublei 1917

Common. Odessa municipal notes from 1917 were issued in substantial quantities to facilitate commerce during the monetary crisis of that period. While the Pick catalog lists this as P-S337c(2), indicating it is a recognized variety, the survival of examples in VF condition and the availability of serial numbers (such as B 125902 visible here) suggests reasonable print runs were maintained. As a 1917 municipal emergency issue, these notes are neither exceptionally scarce nor particularly valuable in global numismatic markets, placing them in the common category despite their historical interest. The condition grade of VF, while desirable, does not elevate what is fundamentally a common issuance.

The 1917 Odessa city notes were issued during the chaotic final months of the Russian Empire and the Russian Civil War, when local authorities took monetary control as central authority collapsed. The note's elaborate heraldic imagery—featuring double-headed eagles and official seals—deliberately invoked Imperial legitimacy, while the inscriptions emphasizing backing by State Bank obligations attempted to maintain confidence in the currency. The architectural vignettes on the reverse likely depict Odessa civic buildings, anchoring the currency to the prosperous Black Sea port city that was a major financial and commercial center.

The obverse features a formal heraldic composition dominated by two Imperial double-headed eagles flanking a central circular state seal, surrounded by scrollwork and elaborate floral motifs rendered in fine line engraving. The design employs a green-tinted background with a prominent pink/rose-colored central band containing the denomination and issuing authority text. Hop leaf garlands frame the lower corners, and decorative ribbon banners enhance the classical aesthetic. The reverse presents two circular architectural vignettes—the left depicting a classical columned building (likely a civic or financial institution) and the right showing a domed institutional structure with arched windows, separated by a large ornamental rosette containing the numeral 25. An anchor emblem crowns the reverse design, symbolizing Odessa's status as a major seaport. Shell and fan motifs appear in the corners, and the serial number appears in the upper left. The color scheme reverses to a pink/rose base with green and black engraving elements.

FRONT SIDE: 'ДВАДЦАТЬ ПЯТЬ РУБЛЕЙ' (Twenty Five Rubles) | 'Разменный билеть г. Одессы' (Exchange note of the city of Odessa) | 'Все выпущенные в обращение разменные билеты г Одессы споля обеспечены государственными кредитными билетами и пятипроцентными краткосрочными обязательствами государственного Казначейства хранящимися в Одесской Конторе Государственного банка.' (All exchange notes issued into circulation by the city of Odessa are fully secured by state credit notes and five percent short-term obligations of the State Treasury stored in the Odessa office of the State Bank.) | '1917г.' (1917) | 'ПОДДАЛКА ПРЕСЛЬШЧЕТСЯ ЗАКОНОМ' (Counterfeiting is punishable by law) | BACK SIDE: Serial number 'Б 1'25'902' (B 125902) | '1917 г.' (1917) | 'РУБЛЕЙ' (Rubles) | 'Гос. Банк Серед. России и Украины выполняющий функцию государственного кредитного учреждения настоящим удостоверяет что находящиеся в течение которого настоящий разменный билеть областей быть представлены от Одесскую Контору Государственного Банка для получения двадцать пять руб. государ. Кр. бил.' (The State Bank of Central Russia and Ukraine performing the function of a state credit institution hereby certifies that the present exchange note of the city of Odessa can be presented to the Odessa Office of the State Bank for receipt of twenty five rubles in state credit notes.)

This note was produced using multiple-color intaglio engraving, the standard security printing method for high-value currency of the Imperial Russian period. The fine line work visible throughout both sides, the sharp registration of the multi-color design elements (green, pink, black, and cream), and the precise architectural detail in the vignettes are characteristic of professional bank note engraving. The sophisticated rendering of the heraldic imagery and decorative borders suggests production by an established Imperial Russian security printer, likely utilizing the same facilities and techniques that produced State Bank notes. The multi-pass color printing and intricate border work provided security features appropriate for the denomination and issuing authority.

This note is identified as Pick S337c(2), representing a specific cataloged variety of the Odessa 25 ruble note. The serial number prefix 'Б' (Cyrillic B) and the sequential numbering system (B 125902) indicate standard production methodology. The 1917 date is consistent with the single-year issuance period. Collectors should note that Odessa city notes from 1917 appear in multiple denominations and varieties; this VF example with serial number B 125902 represents the standard circulation issue without known overprints or special designations. Variety distinctions for this issue typically relate to serial number prefixes and specific date variations within the 1917 issuance period.