Russian Empire 100 Ruble Assignat, 1819 (1819-1843 Period)
The banknote features a classic Imperial Russian design with a central oval frame containing the main text and value. This frame is surrounded by intricate decorative elements, including floral motifs and laurel wreaths. The four corners are adorned with the distinctive double-headed eagles, the emblem of the Russian Empire, each holding a scepter and orb. The top center features a laurel wreath enclosing the denomination '100' and military attributes like cannons and flags. The script is an elegant Cyrillic, characteristic of the early 19th century.
Description
This is an authentic 100 Ruble assignat issued by the Russian Empire in 1819. These notes are historically significant as they represent the third major issue of assignats, introduced to stabilize the monetary system after the Napoleonic Wars and replace earlier, depreciated paper currency. The denomination 'СТО РУБЛЕЙ' (One Hundred Rubles) is prominently displayed in the center, underlined for emphasis, and also appears as '100' within a laurel wreath at the top. The design includes the majestic double-headed imperial eagles in all four corners, a central oval frame with the promise to pay 'ходячею монетою' (circulating coin) by the Assignation Bank. The year '1819 ГОДА' (of the year 1819) is clearly indicated in ovals on the left and right sides of the central design. The serial number 'Nº 961572' is printed twice at the bottom. The banknote bears the legible handwritten signatures of the Manager (Управляющій) P. Khrapovitsky (П. Храповицкій) and the Cashier (Кассиръ) Silov (Силовъ), who were key figures in the Assignation Bank during this period. This piece is a valuable artifact for collectors of Russian imperial banknotes, offering a tangible link to the country's economic history in the early 19th century.