5 rubles — RSFSR (1923) — 2nd issue

Pick# 164

Photo: Казначейство РСФСР · Wikimedia Commons

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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 Acceptance stopped everywhere on 10 May 1924, and the notes were withdrawn on 31 May 1924 (30 June 1924 in the Yakut ASSR).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

A separate proof is known on paper with a "large shadow stars" watermark — only as a specimen, never as an issued note. The series is АБ, blocks 1001–1011 and 1049–1060, partly overlapping the first type's blocks. Unlike most denominations, only one specimen form is confirmed here — a two-sided red «ОБРАЗЕЦ» overprint, mirrored on the reverse.

Appearance

Both sides are green. The obverse is on a light-green ground: a guilloché pattern with the value «5» and the word «РУБЛЕЙ», the RSFSR coat of arms at upper left, a green serial number of two letters and four digits printed twice, the year «1923», and the signatures of the People's Commissar of Finance and a cashier. The reverse is on a multicolour (light green, yellow, pink, blue) ground, with an ornamental frame and the value in the corners, the text set in eight lines. The note measures about 120 × 75 mm.

Specifications

Period: State currency notes (1923)
Currency: 1 ruble = 100 kopecks
Issue type: Circulation
Material: Paper
Issuer: Goznak
Dominant color: green
Watermark: Yes

Variants

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People's Commissar of Finance of the RSFSR: Sokolnikov G.Y.

Year	Series	Cashier	Print run	Price	Details
1923	—	—	—	Estimate	Specimen, red overprint "ОБРАЗЕЦ"
1923	АБ	—	—	Estimate	Proof/specimen (block 1049), watermark "large shadow stars", perforated "ОБРАЗЕЦ"
1923	АБ	Beliayev A.N.	—	Estimate
1923	АБ	Dyukov F.Y.	—	Estimate
1923	АБ	Kozlov M.M.	—	Estimate
1923	АБ	Kolosov I.	—	Estimate
1923	АБ	Loshkin N.K.	—	Estimate
1923	АБ	Onikov L.I.	—	Estimate
1923	АБ	Porokhov I.G.	—	Estimate
1923	АБ	Sapunov A.A.	—	Estimate
1923	АБ	Selyavo A.A.	—	Estimate
1923	АБ	Silayev A.P.	—	Estimate