50 Kopek Small-Denomination Note (Great War Period)
circa 1915 ・ paper ・ 20th century ・ Russian Empire
A small-denomination note from the Great War. It states on its face: "Circulates on par with subsidiary silver coinage." When the war began, small silver coins disappeared from wallets, and paper took the place of small change. "Counterfeiting will be prosecuted by law"—this one line on the reverse speaks to the precariousness of this small piece of paper.