Russian Empire 20 Kopek Assignat, 1838 (Grand Duchy of Finland Issue)
Russian Empire
1838
1819-1843
20
N° 123408
Style
The banknote features a central double-headed eagle emblem of the Russian Empire, indicating its sovereign authority over the Grand Duchy of Finland. The denomination "Tjugu Kopek" (Twenty Kopeks) is presented in an elaborate, calligraphic script in Swedish, prominently displayed at the top center. Below this, the note's value and purpose are stated in Swedish, Russian ("ДВАДЦАТЬ Копѣекъ"), and Finnish ("Kaxi Kymmendä Kopeikaa"), reflecting the multilingual administrative context of Finland under Russian rule. A rectangular cartouche at the bottom left clearly displays "20 KOP". The design is generally uniface, printed on plain paper, with a somewhat crude and utilitarian aesthetic typical of assignats from this era, focusing on textual clarity and official symbols rather than complex artistry. Signatures are handwritten below the main text.
Description
This is a 20 Kopek assignat issued by the Grand Duchy of Finland's Exchange, Deposit and Loan Bank in 1838. It represents a fascinating piece of monetary history, illustrating the complex currency situation within the Russian Empire, particularly in its autonomous regions like Finland. The note explicitly states it is for a sum of twenty kopeks of "Kejserliga Ryska Banko-Assignationer" (Imperial Russian Bank Assignats), highlighting its role as a local proxy for the larger Imperial currency system. The trilingual text (Swedish, Russian, Finnish) is a defining feature, reflecting the administrative and cultural landscape of Finland at the time. These notes are significant for collectors interested in Russian Imperial finances, regional monetary issues, and the history of Finland under Russian rule. Despite its worn condition, the note's essential details and historical context remain clearly visible, offering valuable insight into the period.