Russian Empire 10 Ruble Assignat, 1803 (1786-1819 Period)
This assignat features a minimalistic and text-centric design, characteristic of early paper money. It is printed in black ink on light brown paper. The main inscription, declaring the value, is printed diagonally across the note. A prominent numerical '10' is visible, along with the denomination spelled out in words. A distinctive black rectangular stamp with the word 'ДЕСЯТЬ' (TEN) is overprinted on the note, serving as an additional security feature or specific series mark. Handwritten signatures attest to its authenticity.
Description
This is a 10 Ruble Assignat issued by the Russian Empire in 1803, belonging to the 1786-1819 period of assignat circulation. The main inscription reads: 'ОБЪЯВИТЕЛЮ СЕЙ ГОСУДАРСТВЕННОЙ АССИГНАЦІИ ПЛАТИТЬ АССИГНАЦІОННЫЙ БАНКЪ ДЕСЯТЬ РУБЛЕЙ ХОДЯЧЕЮ МОНЕТОЮ 1803 ГОДА' (To the bearer of this State Assignat, the Assignat Bank shall pay Ten Rubles in circulating coin of 1803). Assignats were crucial for financing the Russian Empire's expenditures, particularly during the Napoleonic Wars. The distinctive black overprint 'ДЕСЯТЬ' (TEN) is a key feature of this specific issue, likely introduced as a security measure against counterfeiting or to differentiate a particular emission. The banknote bears the serial number N° 49776. This historical document offers insight into the monetary system of early 19th-century Russia and the challenges of maintaining a stable currency. Collectors value these assignats for their historical significance and the insights they provide into the economic landscape of the era. The presence of handwritten annotations ('24/IV 15 АРТ № 2099', 'Н-7-22') suggests its journey through various collections or historical archives.