1906 Imperial Russia 5% State Loan Bond 187.50 Roubles / 500 Francs WYSIWYG VG+

Description

1906 Imperial Russia 5% State Loan
What You See Is What You Get
Large format, measures approx. 12"x16". Decorative. 50 year bond for 187.50 roubles / 500 francs. Double sided on thin period paper. Litho in black, blue, gold and peach. Terms and conditions on back in French, German and English. Condition Sound. Hand signed. Low serial number 1397, of 9165 authorized bonds of Series 224. 1907 French tax stamp as shown. Terms in English shown above. Folds present. Paper solid, non-detracting edge nicks on bottom as shown. Fat margins. Requires very little prep for framing or display.
The historical interest of the piece is in that it was the first loan floated by the Imperial Russian government on the international markets following their humiliating defeat in the Russo-Japanese War, and the abortive 1905 Revolution. The loan's prospects weighed heavily on the Imperial Government's mind. On the other hand, Russian liberals roundly condemned it, decrying it as subsidizing oppression.
That the 843 million rouble loan was quickly negotiated with the blessings of the French government, and soon fully subscribed, came as a godsend to the Imperial authorities, and allowed them embark on a multi-billion ruble borrowing spree in the decade leading up to the First World War.
Following the Bolshevik coup d'é·tat of 1917, one of Lenin's first acts was to repudiate the debt of both the Imperial and Provisional governments, rendering their bonds worthless. Every succeeding Russian government has maintained this policy; so, don't expect Mr. Putin to honor these instruments.
Shipped folded, via USPS First Class mail.
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