1918 - Russia - 100 Rubles

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1918 - Russia - 100 Rubles
CA$65.00 CA$60.00

This is a Russian State Credit Note (Государственный кредитный билет) for 100 Rubles, dated 1918—one of the most iconic banknotes from the Russian Civil War / early Soviet transition period.

Key Details

  • Country: Russia

  • Denomination: 100 Rubles

  • Date: 1918

  • Issuing Authority: State Bank of Russia (pre-Soviet design, issued during political upheaval)

  • Language: Russian (Cyrillic)

Design & Symbolism

  • Central vignette: A classical allegorical female figure representing Russia, seated with agricultural symbols (grain, sickle), symbolizing fertility, abundance, and the nation.

  • Style: Imperial-era engraving quality, carried over into emergency issues after the fall of the Tsar.

  • Text: Identifies the note as a State Credit Bill and references gold backing—largely symbolic by 1918.

  • Color palette: Rich black, brown, and red guilloché patterns typical of late-Imperial Russian currency.

Historical Context

  • Issued during extreme instability following:

    • The 1917 Revolution

    • The collapse of Imperial authority

    • The Russian Civil War (1917–1922)

  • These notes circulated alongside many competing currencies (Imperial, Provisional Government, Soviet, regional issues).

  • Despite gold references, redeemability was effectively meaningless due to inflation and chaos.