Russian Empire 200 Ruble Assignat, 1841 (1819-1843 Period)
The assignat features a classical design common for Russian Empire banknotes of the early 19th century. The central motif is the Imperial double-headed eagle with a crown, holding a scepter and an orb, with the denomination '200' on its chest. The upper corners display laurel wreaths containing the year '1841' on the left and 'ГОДА' (year) on the right. The main text is in ornate Cyrillic calligraphy, proclaiming the note's value and issuer. Signatures are housed within a textured, rectangular frame at the bottom.
Description
This 200 Ruble assignat from the Russian Empire, issued in 1841, represents one of the later issues of assignats before the significant monetary reform of 1843. These notes were non-convertible paper money issued by the State Assignation Bank. The design features the iconic double-headed Imperial eagle, a symbol of Russian sovereignty, prominently at the top. The inscription 'Объявителю сея Государственной Ассигнации платитъ Ассигнационной Банкъ ДВЕСТИ РУБЛЕЙ ходячею монетою' translates to 'To the bearer of this State Assignat, the Assignation Bank pays TWO HUNDRED RUBLES in circulating coin,' though actual convertibility to precious metal was often problematic. The year '1841' is clearly visible in the left wreath. Serial number 'N° 42187' appears in both lower corners. Signatures of the Manager (Управляющий Г. Ховенъ) and Cashier (Кассиръ Слѣсаревъ) are present. Assignats from this period are significant historical artifacts, reflecting Russia's financial challenges and reforms in the early 19th century. High denominations like 200 rubles are often less common than smaller ones. This particular note is a valuable piece for collectors focusing on Russian monetary history and assignats.