Russian Empire 25 Ruble Assignat, 1810 (1803-1818 Series)
The assignat features a typical design for Russian paper money of the early 19th century. The central motif is a crowned double-headed Imperial eagle, without orb and scepter, but holding an olive branch and laurel wreath, symbolizing peace and victory. The main text states the obligation to pay the bearer. Decorative elements include ornate borders and a guilloche pattern in the corners. The denomination '1810' is visible vertically in an oval frame in the bottom left corner, while the serial number is printed twice at the bottom. The overall color is a distinctive blue-green (turquoise).
Description
This is a 25 Ruble assignat issued by the Russian Empire in 1810, falling within the 1803-1818 series. These assignats were crucial to the financing of the Russian state, particularly during the Napoleonic Wars. The banknote features a crowned double-headed Imperial eagle with an olive branch and laurel wreath, a design characteristic of the period of Emperor Alexander I. The denomination 'двадцать пять рублей' (twenty-five rubles) is clearly stated. Signatures of the Manager S. Khvemeni (Управляющий С. Хвемени) and Cashier Yakubov (Кассиръ Якубовъ) are visible, along with the serial number № 7632745. Despite its severely damaged condition, its historical significance as a tangible artifact from a pivotal era in Russian and European history makes it a valuable collectible for numismatists and historians interested in early 19th-century Russian finance and the Napoleonic era.