Government Bank of Armenia 250 Rubles, 1920, PMG 64
Product Description
This is a 1919 National Bank of Armenia 250 Ruble banknote, Pick #32, without an official year of issue (ND1920). Printed by the world-renowned Waterlow & Sons (W&S) printing press in London, it has been graded 64 (Choice Uncirculated) by PMG, a prestigious international banknote grading agency. It is a classic engraved banknote from the Caucasus region, possessing both artistic and historical value.
Front Banknote Details
- The banknote features a richly decorated, yellow-green and brown-purple two-tone embossed border. The top is printed with the French inscription "REPUBLIQUE ARMENIENNE" and the Armenian bilingual name of the country. The denomination "250 RUBLES / 250 RUBLES" is prominently displayed in the center. Symmetrical angel reliefs adorn the left and right sides, with the number 250 engraved within multi-layered openwork wreaths.
- The banknote bears a unique serial number, U476256, printed repeatedly on both sides. Two lines of official handwritten signatures are preserved at the bottom, along with the original year 1919. The banknote blends traditional Armenian mythical creature motifs with European-style angel engravings, and features multiple languages, reflecting the unique historical context of the post-World War I Caucasian independent regimes.
Reverse Banknote Details
- The main visual features a traditional Armenian woman spinning yarn, accompanied by a spinning wheel and yarn rack, symbolizing the local textile industry. The image is surrounded by radiating wavy security lines. A large shield-shaped area in the upper right corner displays the number 250, and the top features the Armenian denomination inscription.
- The four corners feature a large-scale floral scroll border. A three-dimensional lion head relief is at the top center, and the bottom displays the complete inscription of the printing press: "WATERLOW & SONS LIMITED, LONDON, ANGLETERRE". The overall engraving is intricate and detailed, making it a classic example of W&S art banknotes.
PMG Grading and Authentication Information
Grading Score：64 Choice Uncirculated. The paperboard is flat, without creases, tears, or stains. The ink is complete and full, with only very minor imperfections in the original printing paper. This is a high-quality collectible.
Collection Code：2436461-054. Verification website: PMGnotes.com/verify. Official authentication records can be checked online.
Basic Parameters：Issuing Institution: Armenia, Government Bank; Catalog Number: Pick#32; Serial Number: S/N A476256; Printer: Waterlow & Sons (W&S);
Encapsulation Advantages：PMG anti-counterfeiting protective case permanently isolates the banknote from air and moisture, preventing oxidation and yellowing. The seal features a triple verification system including a holographic anti-counterfeiting label, QR code, and barcode, ensuring high authenticity and authority.
Key Collectible Value
| Historical Scarcity | Issued by the short-lived First Armenian Republic after World War I, this banknote was produced in very limited quantities and circulated extensively, making high-grade uncirculated banknotes extremely rare. |
|---|---|
| Top-Tier Printing Technology | Printed using original engravings by the British W&S factory, the figures, mythical creatures, and flowers are exquisitely detailed, earning it the reputation of "the most beautiful banknote in the Caucasus" among numismatic collectors. |
| Multicultural and Artistic Value | Blending Armenian folklore, Eastern mythical creatures, and European classical engraving aesthetics, the banknotes feature distinct themes on both sides, making them highly artistically valuable. |
| Authoritative High Grade | Graded PMG 64 in uncirculated condition, far exceeding the quality of circulated banknotes, this banknote possesses outstanding market value retention and appreciation potential, making it a core collectible for global banknote collecting and Caucasian region collecting. |
Specifications
| Country of Issue | Armenia (First Republic of Armenia) |
|---|---|
| Year of Issue | 1919 (ND 1920) |
| Issuing Authority | National Bank of Armenia (Government Bank) |
| Face Value | 250 Rubles |
| Stanley Catalogue Number | Pick #32 |
| Printer | Waterlow & Sons Limited (London W&S) |
| Serial Number | U476256 |
| Grading Agency | PMG Paper Money Guaranty |
| Grading Result | 64 Choice Uncirculated |
| Authentication Code | 2436461-054 |
| Core Design | Obverse: Angel, bilingual national inscription; Reverse: Traditional spinning woman |
| Technology | Multi-color intaglio printing, composite wave pattern anti-counterfeiting background |
| Number of Items | 1 |
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