50 kopecks — RSFSR (1923)

Photo: Numista
Non-commercial use only

The second sovznak issue of 1923

The second and final sovznak issue was denominated at 1:100 to the 1922-series rouble. Eleven denominations from 50 kopecks to 5000 roubles; six of them (1 to 100 roubles) exist in two reverse-text revisions — seven- and eight-line, differing only in wording — shown on the site as separate "1st issue"/"2nd issue" cards. All were printed at the First Moscow Goznak factory, on paper with a corner watermark except for the individual exceptions noted at each denomination. Except for 50 kopecks, which carries no signatures or serial numbers, the notes are signed by Grigory Sokolnikov, People's Commissar of Finance (who replaced Nikolai Krestinsky in that post), together with a cashier set by a repeating block-number cycle. The seven lower denominations (50 kopecks to 100 roubles) went into circulation on 1 January 1923; the four higher ones (250, 500, 1000 and 5000 roubles) followed later, on 9 February 1923. Acceptance stopped everywhere on 10 May 1924, and the notes were withdrawn on 31 May 1924 (30 June 1924 in the Yakut ASSR). Most denominations are known with a perforated «ОБРАЗЕЦ» specimen and a red «ОБРАЗЕЦ» overprint specimen.

Watermark and specimens

The paper carries a mosaic-pattern watermark specific to this denomination. Besides ordinary notes, known forms include an uncut uniface proof sheet (obverse and reverse printed separately), a specimen with a red «ОБРАЗЕЦ» overprint, and a specimen with an «ОБРАЗЕЦ» perforation.

Appearance

Both sides are blue. The obverse has the RSFSR coat of arms at the centre of a circular design, the value «ПЯТЬДЕСЯТ КОП.» and a warning that forgery is prosecuted by law. The reverse has a circular coin design with the value «50 КОПЕЕК» and the year «1923». The note measures 53 × 47 mm.