Russian Empire 25 Ruble Assignat, 1808 (1786-1819 Period, with 'ДВАДЦАТЬ ПЯТЬ' Overprint)
The assignat features a minimalist, text-heavy design typical of early Russian paper money. The central inscription guarantees payment by the State Assignat Bank. Above the main text are two oval embossed seals or watermarks, one possibly depicting the Imperial Double-Headed Eagle (faintly visible on the right). The denomination "25" is printed numerically below these seals. A distinctive feature is the prominent black rectangular overprint "ДВАДЦАТЬ ПЯТЬ" (TWENTY-FIVE) in a decorative frame, which often indicates a specific issue or validation variant. Serial numbers are printed at the top center and repeated at the bottom left and right. The paper is thick, off-white, and has an aged appearance.
Description
A historical 25 Ruble assignat issued by the Russian Empire in 1808, bearing the serial number №1166645. This particular assignat belongs to the second major issue period (1786-1819) of Russian paper money. Its design is typical for the era, featuring a promise to pay the bearer 25 rubles in "circulating coin" by the State Assignat Bank. A distinguishing characteristic of this note is the black overprint "ДВАДЦАТЬ ПЯТЬ" (TWENTY-FIVE) enclosed in a rectangular ornamental frame, which marks it as a specific variant within the 1808 issue. This overprint likely served as an anti-counterfeiting measure or a means of distinguishing between different print runs or validations. Signatures of the Bank Director, Mintsekhov, and Cashier, Kovach, are clearly visible. Two faint oval embossed seals, possibly incorporating the Imperial Double-Headed Eagle on the right, are present above the main text. The note displays considerable circulation wear, including folds, creases, toning, and minor edge damage, yet remains a significant historical artifact representing Russia's early attempts at paper currency management and the financial challenges of the Napoleonic Wars era. This assignat would be a valuable addition to any collection focusing on Russian numismatics, early paper money, or the economic history of the Russian Empire.