Russian Empire 25 Ruble Assignat, 1815 (1786-1819 Period)
This assignat features a minimalistic, text-centric design characteristic of early Russian paper money. Printed on thin, off-white paper, the face displays the denomination primarily through large Cyrillic text and a numerical '25'. The main body of text states the value and promise to the bearer. Decorative elements are sparse, limited to the framing of the denomination block 'ДВАДЦАТЬ ПЯТЬ' (TWENTY-FIVE) and simple borders. Serial numbers are prominently printed in black in the upper and lower corners. The overall appearance is utilitarian, reflecting the functional purpose of these early banknotes.
Description
This is a 25 Ruble Assignat issued by the Russian Empire in 1815, falling within the 1786-1819 period of the second issue of assignats. These banknotes were a crucial part of the Russian financial system during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, particularly important during the Napoleonic Wars when metallic currency was often scarce. The text 'ОБЪЯВИТЕЛЮ СЕЙ ГОСУДАРСТВЕННОЙ АССИГНАЦИИ ПЛАТИТЬ ДВАДЦАТЬ ПЯТЬ РУБЛЕЙ ХОДЯЧЕЮ МОНЕТОЮ' translates to 'To the bearer of this State Assignat, pay twenty-five rubles in circulating coin.' The assignat carries the serial number N° 608801 and features two handwritten signatures, typically those of the Director and Cashier of the State Assignat Bank. These early paper currencies often suffered from inflation and counterfeiting, making their survival in any condition noteworthy for collectors interested in monetary history and the economic challenges of the era. Despite its worn condition, it represents a tangible piece of Russian imperial finance.