*
Denomination: 5 Rubles
Year of First Issue: 1909
Governing Body: Czar Nicholas II
*
The 5 Ruble note was first introduced in 1909 and was printed under the direction of Konshin and Shipov. However, this banknote, just like the 1 Ruble banknote first introduced in 1898, was also printed by the Imperial mint, the Provisional Government, and the Soviets. A recap of the distinguishing features between the notes printed by the different governments:
*
First, the serial number is crucial. Imperial Russia was not the only one that printed the 5 Ruble notes using this particular design. The Provisional Government, which took over after the fall of Czar Nicholas II, used the same exact design. However, instead of using the two-letter and six-digit format for the serials of the notes, the Provisional Government cut it down to a two-letter prefix followed by two or three digits only, as seen on this site’s section about the 1917 5 Ruble note.
*
Once the Soviets toppled the Provisional Government, they also used the same design for the 5 Ruble banknote for a couple of years until they were able to print their own designs. The Soviets employed the same approach as the Provisional Government, issuing Ruble notes with only the two-letter prefix followed by two or three digits. The difference between the Provisional Government notes and the Soviet counterparts becomes more specific:
*
The Soviet 5 Ruble notes, which were printed between 1917 and 1918, have the serials УА-044 to УА-200 and the serials УБ-401 to УБ-510.
*
Second, the signatures in the center of the banknote are crucial. As mentioned in the introductory section, the top signature on the notes, which designates the “Director,” is important in figuring out the range of years when the banknote was printed. For example, the pictured 5 Rubles above has the Konshin signature. Coupled with the fact that the note has the long serial, a collector can conclude that this note was printed between 1909 and 1912, and was produced when the mint was still under Imperial control. A 5 Ruble note produced by the Soviet Government is shown in another section of this site.
*
