Russian Empire 25 Ruble Assignat, 1811 (1786-1819 Period)
The assignat features a simple, functional design typical for the early 19th-century Russian Empire. It is monochrome, printed in black ink on light-colored paper. The central text provides the promissory note declaration, specifying the value in circulating coin. The denomination is prominently displayed as a numeral '25' and in words 'ДВАДЦАТЬ ПЯТЬ' within a decorative border. Repetitive serial numbers act as a security feature. Watermarks, though faint, are visible as circular impressions, a common security element for assignats of this era.
Description
This is a 25 Ruble assignat issued by the Russian Empire in 1811. These assignats were paper money issued by the State Assignat Bank and were convertible into circulating metallic coinage. The note states: 'ОБЪЯВИТЕЛЮ СЕЙ ГОСУДАРСТВЕННОЙ АССИГНАЦИИ ПЛАТИТЬ АССИГНАЦИОННЫЙ БАНКЪ ДВАДЦАТЬ ПЯТЬ РУБЛЕЙ ХОДЯЧЕЮ МОНЕТОЮ 1811 ГОДА.' (To the bearer of this State Assignat, the Assignat Bank shall pay twenty-five rubles in circulating coin, Year 1811). The serial number 'N° 289953' is visible at the top, bottom left, and bottom right. The denomination 'ДВАДЦАТЬ ПЯТЬ' (Twenty-five) is highlighted in a distinct, darker, ornate box. This type of assignat belongs to the series issued between 1802 and 1818, following the reforms of Alexander I, and is significant as a primary form of currency during the Napoleonic Wars period.