2016-08-09 Tue

Did you know that Russia’s banknotes were printed by American Banknote Corporation situated at New Jersey?

The Russian provincial government established in 1917 printed banknotes of various denominations. Later, the government wanted to develop more standardised and typical banknotes and so the world’s largest engraver of national currency and postage stamps, the American Banknote Corporation was contacted.

After approaching the American Bank Note Company, the company designed a standard design for 25, 50, 100, 250, 500, and 1000 Rouble notes and the printing of the notes was scheduled for 1918 and 1919.

The banknotes of denominations 25 and 100 were printed and put in circulation. But the October Revolution in Russia overthrew this provincial government and hence the banknotes of other denominations though printed were never used.

These 25 and 100 roubles remain as the only examples of the attempt of the Provincial government to introduce new type of banknotes. The other designs and denominations are in the archives of the American Bank Note Company and are un-issued specimens that are considered very rare.

Well it turns out that Russia and America weren’t always so cold with each other!