250 karbovantsev 1918

Common. The eBay price data shows consistent sales ranging from $5 to $36 across multiple condition grades (F, EF, VF, AUNC) over a 9-year period, with most examples selling in the $10-$25 range. The 2016 catalog values place even UNC examples at only $80. These price points and trading frequency indicate ready availability in the secondary market. Early Ukrainian currency from 1918-1920 was produced in substantial quantities despite the short-lived government, and survivors remain relatively abundant in collector channels.

This banknote was issued by the Ukrainian State under the Symon Petlyura Directorate in 1918, during Ukraine's brief period of independence following the Russian Empire's collapse and before Soviet incorporation. The prominent trident symbol reflects Ukrainian national identity and sovereignty, while the treasury inscriptions and anti-counterfeiting warnings underscore the new state's efforts to establish monetary credibility. The note's existence represents a crucial but ephemeral moment in Ukrainian history, as this independent state lasted only until 1920.

The 250 Karbovantsiv note features the Ukrainian State coat of arms—specifically the trident (Tryzub) symbol—as the dominant central device on both sides, representing national sovereignty and heritage. The obverse displays the trident within an ornate circular medallion, flanked by denomination numerals in decorative circular cartouches at upper corners, all rendered in sepia tones against cream paper with elaborate engraved scrollwork borders. The reverse places the trident in an oval cartouche on the left side, with the large denomination '250' dominating the center, surrounded by formal Ukrainian text including treasury declarations and anti-counterfeiting warnings. Decorative grape vine and berry motif borders frame the reverse design. The entire composition employs fine-line engraving technique typical of high-security currency production, with no portraits present—emphasizing institutional rather than personal authority.

FRONT SIDE: 'УКРАЇНСЬКА ДЕРЖАВА' (Ukrainian State) | 'знак державної скарбниці' (sign of state treasury) | '250' (denomination) | 'АГ-201744' (serial number AG-201744) | '1918' (year of issue) | 'директор державної скарбниці' (director of state treasury). BACK SIDE: 'ЗНАК ДЕРЖАВНОЇ скарбниці' (Sign of State Treasury) | '250' (denomination) | 'за фальшування карається по закону' (counterfeiting is punishable by law) | 'карбованців' (karbovantsiv/currency units) | 'ходить нарівні з кредитовими білетами' (circulates equally with credit notes) | '250' (denomination repeated).

Steel-plate intaglio engraving (line engraving), the standard security printing method for high-value banknotes of the era. The intricate border work, fine line patterns, and precise detail visible throughout indicate professional currency-grade engraving. The specific printer for the Ukrainian State's 1918 issues remains unclear from available documentation, though production likely occurred in Vienna or other European currency printing centers available to the Ukrainian government during this period.

This example exhibits the P-39a Pick catalog designation with serial number prefix 'АГ' (AG in Latin transliteration). The visual analysis confirms this represents the standard 1918 issue with no visible overprints, surcharges, or signature variants distinguishing it from the base type. PMG records indicate only one variant catalogued for this Pick number, confirming this as the primary and only recognized variety for the 250 Karbovantsiv denomination from this issue.