World Paper Money promises to be another great sale. Our featured highlight for
this week is an elusive North Russia P-S143 Remainder 500 Rubles note which
would have been issued by the Chaikovskii Government. This note is graded Very
Fine 25 Details grade by PCGS Banknote, with Internal Damage and Pinholes noted
by the grading company.
The North of Russia was in much turmoil when this note was
printed in 1918. Allied troops were landing at Archangelsk and Murmansk to
reinforce White Army forces against the rapidly advancing Red Army, although
this would prove futile. By 1919, the Allies had abandoned the North of Russia
and the White Russian Northern Army was left to fight alone against the more
disciplined Red Army. The region later capitulated to Bolshevik rule in early
1920.
This note offered in our August auction is a lasting
testament to the Provisional Government of the Northern Region. It is in
remainder form and from the second issue series; there are no signatures, and
it is pen cancelled at the left end on both the obverse and reverse. A red
serial number of "ЦС021502" can be seen at left and right ends. The
overprint that typically covers the phrase over the text box at left on the
face is also missing, along with the overprints over the arms. The reverse of
the note depicts a portrait of a woman at left, and an allegorical woman
watching over a seaport at right, with a fast-approaching ship in the
background. Auction appearances of this variety are almost non-existent, and
this note is surely missing from the most advances collections of Russian paper
money. This is the first example we have handled in remainder form in our
history, and we are excited to offer it to collectors. We would not be
surprised if our high estimate is met or exceeded for this rare note.
The Stack’s Bowers Galleries August ANA World paper money
auction will be posted to our website for bidding within the next few weeks. To
consign your U.S. and World paper money to a future sale, contact a consignment
specialist at 800-458-4646 or visit StacksBowers.com. For more information on
viewing lots or for assistance in registering to bid, email your inquiry to:
Info@stacksbowers.com.
