3 rubbel 1917

Common. Odessa city emergency notes from 1917, while historically significant, were issued in substantial quantities to serve the local population during the currency shortage of the Russian Civil War period. Multiple denominations and series exist, and examples appear with reasonable regularity in the philatelic and numismatic markets. The AU grade represents excellent condition but does not materially increase value beyond a well-preserved specimen. These notes remain affordable and accessible to collectors interested in Russian Revolutionary-era currency and Ukrainian numismatics.

This Odessa city exchange ticket was issued during the tumultuous Russian Revolution and Civil War period, when municipal authorities supplemented scarce state currency with their own denominated notes. The reverse text guarantees backing by the State Treasury and lists numerous regional banks and financial institutions, reflecting Odessa's importance as a commercial hub. The double-headed Imperial Russian eagle and formal banking language indicate this was issued during the transitional period before Soviet currency fully replaced the old monetary system, representing a crucial moment when local authorities maintained some financial autonomy.

The note displays a classically ornate Russian Imperial design vocabulary centered on the double-headed eagle, symbol of Imperial authority, depicted with spread wings on the left side of the obverse. The denomination '3' appears within decorative circular medallions at cardinal points on both sides, a common security practice of the era. Elaborate borders featuring acanthus wreaths, scrollwork, and floral motifs frame all edges in the Art Nouveau style prevalent in pre-Revolutionary Russian banking design. The reverse is dominated by dense legal text establishing the note's backing and redemption terms, with matching ornamental corner medallions. The pale greenish paper and fine cross-hatching background pattern provided basic anti-counterfeiting protection. All elements are rendered in black letterpress ink with excellent registration and clarity.

FRONT SIDE: 'ТРИ РУБЛЯ' (Three Rubles); '1917 год' (Year 1917); 'РАЗМЕННЫЙ БИЛЕТ ГОРОДА ОДЕССЫ' (Exchange Ticket of the City of Odessa); 'Все выпущенные в обращение разменные билеты г. Одессы спорядь обеспечены государственными кредитными билетами и антипроцентными краткосрочными обязательствами Государственного Казначейства, хранящимися в Одесской Конторе Государственного Банка.' (All exchange tickets of the city of Odessa issued into circulation are fully secured by state credit notes and short-term non-interest obligations of the State Treasury, stored in the Odessa Office of the State Bank); '1908 год' (Year 1908 - likely a reference date or prior authorization). BACK SIDE: 'ПОШЛИНА ПРЕССЫВАЕТСЯ ЗАЛОГОМ' (Customs Duty Guaranteed by Pledge); Extended legal text detailing backing by multiple regional financial institutions and procedures for redemption of the notes at the State Bank's Odessa office for official government credit notes.

This note was produced using letterpress printing (relief printing) combined with fine-line engraving for the decorative border elements and security patterns. The sharp, crisp impression of both text and imagery, along with the uniform black ink coverage and visible cross-hatching security background, are characteristic of late 19th/early 20th-century Russian banknote production. The precise alignment of the circular denomination medallions and the fine detail of the eagle illustration indicate skilled engraving work. While the specific printer for this Odessa municipal issue is not definitively identified in standard references, such notes were typically produced by Russian state printing facilities or contracted commercial security printers in St. Petersburg or Moscow.

This specific variety is identified as Pick P-S334, the standard 3 Rubles denomination of the Odessa city exchange ticket series from 1917. The note displays the characteristic design with the Imperial double-headed eagle, greenish background, and comprehensive backing statement listing regional financial institutions. No signature variations, serial number prefixes, or overprints are noted in the visual analysis. The reference to '1908 год' on the obverse may indicate re-use of printing plates from an earlier authorization or prior issue, a common practice for municipal emergency currency. Standard varieties for this issue include different denominations (1, 2, 3, 5 Rubles) within the same series, distinguishable by the numeral values shown in the medallions.