Russian Empire 25 Ruble Assignat, 1808 (1786-1819 Period)
Russian Empire
1808
1786-1819
25
N° 1166908
Style
This assignat features a classical, text-heavy design typical of Russian paper currency from the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It is uniface, printed in black ink on light cream paper, and has an overall austere yet official appearance. The main text, 'ОБЪЯВИТЕЛЮ СЕЙ ГОСУДАРСТВЕННОЙ АССИГНАЦИИ ПЛАТИТЬ АССИГНАЦИОННЫЙ БАНКЪ ДВАДЦАТЬ ПЯТЬ РУБЛЕЙ ХОДЯЧЕЮ МОНЕТОЮ', states the promise to pay the bearer. The denomination 'ДВАДЦАТЬ ПЯТЬ' is prominently displayed in a decorative, hatched rectangle. The serial number is printed at the top and repeated twice at the bottom. Two oval watermarks or embossed seals, likely bearing symbols of the State Assignation Bank or the Imperial Eagle, are visible in the upper central area, adding a layer of security. The document's corners are rounded, giving it a somewhat octagonal feel due to wear.
Description
This 25 Ruble Assignat from the Russian Empire, issued in 1808, represents a crucial period in Russian monetary history. Assignats were the first paper money issued in Russia, introduced by Catherine the Great in 1769 to finance state expenditures and facilitate large transactions. The 1786-1819 series, to which this banknote belongs, saw various denominations and designs, reflecting the ongoing financial needs and reforms of the Russian state during the reigns of Paul I and Alexander I. This specific 25 ruble denomination was a significant sum at the time. The text explicitly states that the bearer is to be paid by the Assignation Bank in circulating coin, highlighting its role as a form of credit money. The presence of two oval seals, likely watermarks or dry seals of the State Assignation Bank (possibly indicating St. Petersburg or Moscow issues), served as a primary security feature against counterfeiting. The multiple repetitions of the serial number N° 1166908 further aided in tracking and authentication. This particular assignat has visible contemporary handwritten annotations or endorsements, indicating its active use in transactions.