Russian Empire 75 Kopek Assignat, 1824 (Grand Duchy of Finland Issue)
This assignat features a trilingual design (Swedish, Russian, Finnish) typical of the Grand Duchy of Finland's issues under the Russian Empire. The obverse prominently displays the Imperial Russian double-headed eagle at the top center. The year 'ÅR 1824' is on the left, and the serial number 'N° 167420' is on the right. The denomination 'Sjuttio fem Kopek' is written in a large, ornate calligraphic script. The main body text is in Swedish, detailing the note's purpose. Vertical inscriptions in Russian ('СЕМЬДЕСЯТЪ ПЯТЬ КОПЬЕКЪ') and Finnish ('Seitsämän Kymmendä Viisi Kopeeka') adorn the left and right margins, respectively. The numeric denomination '75 KOP.' is featured in a shaded rectangular block at the bottom left, accompanied by two handwritten signatures on the right. The banknote has a simple line border and is printed uniface on thin paper.
Description
This 75 Kopek assignat, issued in 1824, is a significant historical artifact from the Grand Duchy of Finland during its autonomous period under the Russian Empire. It serves as a testament to the unique monetary system and cultural identity of Finland, evidenced by its trilingual inscriptions in Swedish, Russian, and Finnish. The main text, in Swedish, declares that 75 kopeks of Imperial Russian Bank Assignations have been deposited in the Grand Duchy of Finland's Exchange-Deposit and Loan Bank, which the bearer is entitled to reclaim. This confirms its role as a form of paper money backed by state assets. The presence of the Imperial double-headed eagle at the top symbolizes the sovereign authority of the Russian Empire. Handwritten signatures, likely from bank officials such as a director and cashier, were essential security features of the era. This note offers collectors a tangible link to a fascinating period of Northern European history, illustrating the intricate administrative and financial arrangements between an imperial power and its autonomous territories.