10 Soviet Ruble #447

Front

Soviet 10 Ruble note from the 1961 series. The front features the denomination '10' with 'СССР' (USSR) and 'ДЕСЯТЬ РУБЛЕЙ' (Ten Rubles) text in Russian, along with multilingual denomination translations for the various Soviet republics. The text at center reads 'ПОДДЕЛКА БИЛЕТОВ ГОСУДАРСТВЕННОГО БАНКА СССР ПРЕСЛЕДУЕТСЯ ПО ЗАКОНУ' (Counterfeiting of State Bank of the USSR notes is prosecuted by law). This series was issued during the 1961 monetary reform that redenominated the ruble at a rate of 10:1.

Back

Vladimir Lenin (1870–1924), founder of the Soviet state, leader of the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917, and first head of the Soviet government. His portrait appears in profile facing left within an oval frame. The State Emblem of the USSR (hammer and sickle surrounded by wheat sheaves) appears at upper left. The denomination 'ДЕСЯТЬ РУБЛЕЙ' (Ten Rubles) and 'БИЛЕТ ГОСУДАРСТВЕННОГО БАНКА СССР' (Note of the State Bank of the USSR) are prominently displayed. Lenin's image appeared on virtually all Soviet banknotes from 1938 onwards as the paramount symbol of the Soviet state.

History

This is a 10-ruble note from the 1961 series, issued by the State Bank of the USSR (Госбанк СССР). The 1961 monetary reform replaced the previous 1947 series at a rate of 10 old rubles to 1 new ruble, aimed at addressing post-war monetary issues. This series remained in circulation from 1961 until the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, making it one of the longest-circulating Soviet note series. The design features Lenin on the reverse and multilingual text on the front reflecting the multi-ethnic composition of the USSR, with denominations written in the languages of the 15 Soviet republics. The serial number prefix 'сО' is consistent with Goznak printing practices for this series. These notes were demonetized following the collapse of the USSR and replaced by Russian Federation rubles beginning in 1992–1993.