Russian Empire 10 Ruble Assignat, 1835 (1819-1843 Period)
The assignat features a classical, somewhat austere design typical of early 19th-century Russian paper currency. It includes the Imperial double-headed eagle at the top, representing the Russian Empire. The main text is in a clear, seriffed font, framed by a patterned border with ornate corner elements. The denomination is prominently displayed within an oval cartouche. The year '1835' is integrated into the design within a decorative oval in the lower left corner, vertically oriented. The overall aesthetic emphasizes officiality and the authority of the issuing State Bank, using a single color (green-grey) printing.
Description
This is an authentic 10 Ruble Assignat issued by the Russian Empire in 1835, during the reign of Emperor Nicholas I. These assignats were a crucial part of Russia's monetary system, representing paper money that was, in theory, convertible to metallic currency, though in practice, their value often fluctuated. This particular note belongs to the series issued between 1819 and 1843, distinguished by specific design elements and the embedded year. The obverse features the Imperial double-headed eagle at the top, the inscription 'ОБЪЯВИТЕЛЮ СЕЙ ГОСУДАРСТВЕННОЙ АССИГНАЦIИ НАДЛЕЖИТЪ ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЙ БАНКЪ НАПЛАТИТЬ ДЕСЯТЬ РУБЛЕЙ ХОДЯЧЕЮ МОНЕТОЮ.' (The State Bank shall pay the bearer of this State Assignat TEN RUBLES in circulating coin.), and the denomination 'ДЕСЯТЬ РУБЛЕЙ' (TEN RUBLES) in an oval. The signatures of the 'Управляющiй' (Manager) V. Kavelin and the 'Кассиръ' (Cashier) (likely Popov, though faded) are present. The year '1835' is prominently displayed in a decorative oval in the lower-left corner. The serial number '№ 240419' is printed twice at the bottom. These assignats reflect a complex period of economic management in the Russian Empire as it grappled with stabilizing its finances after the Napoleonic Wars. A significant piece of Russian financial history for collectors interested in imperial-era paper money.