Russian Empire 10 Ruble Assignat, 1895 (Anomalous Dating)
Russian Empire
1895
Other (dated 1895, but stylistically aligns with 1786-1843 assignats)
10
Nº 216621
Style
The banknote features a classic Imperial Russian design typical of assignats from the late 18th to mid-19th century. The central motif is a large crowned double-headed eagle, the emblem of the Russian Empire, with the denomination '10' enclosed in a shield on its chest, surrounded by laurel branches. The main text, written in pre-reform Russian orthography, states the note's purpose. The design is framed by an ornate decorative border with intricate geometric and foliate patterns. The serial number is printed at the bottom, and the year '1895' is prominently displayed in an elaborate cartouche in the lower-left corner, balanced by 'ГОДА' (Year) in the lower-right.
Description
This is a 10 Ruble Assignat from the Russian Empire, dated 1895. Assignats were a form of paper money issued in Russia from 1769 to 1843, serving as a substitute for metallic currency. The design of this particular note strongly resembles the issues from the 1786-1819 and 1819-1843 periods, featuring the imperial double-headed eagle and the explicit designation 'Ассигнация' (Assignat). However, the printed year '1895' is highly unusual and anachronistic for a standard circulating assignat, as this type of currency was officially retired decades prior. This anomaly suggests several possibilities: it could be a later commemorative or fantasy issue, a specific re-issue with an updated date (though retaining the 'Assignat' title, which would be unusual), or a specimen/proof with a non-standard date. Its historical significance lies in its direct link to the terminology of earlier Russian paper currency while presenting a date that challenges conventional numismatic timelines for assignats. This makes it a particularly intriguing piece for collectors interested in the evolution and peculiarities of Russian paper money.