Здравствуйте, уважаемые коллекционеры!
I’m researching an unusual group of 1000 ruble banknotes issued by the South Russia Government Bank (White Movement) in 1919. These notes share the same design as Pick S418 but appear to form a separate, little-documented series, potentially printed in Simferopol.
Summary:
Design matches Pick S418 — ornate double-headed eagle, dated 1919, denomination "ТЫСЯЧА РУБЛЕЙ".
But these notes:
Use the serial prefix “ЯА” (rather than ЧБ),
Appear in different color schemes, and
Have very low serial numbers — suggesting a limited, perhaps trial, emergency, or region-specific issue.
Documented ЯА-Series Examples:
(Serial Number, Pick Ref., Colour Scheme, Source, Grade)
ЯА-00002, P# S418c, Green on yellow, Katz Auction, AUNC
ЯА-00006, P# S418c, Green on yellow, PMG slabbed, Simferopol, 65 EPQ GEM
ЯА-00024, Unlisted, Salmon on beige, my collection, UNC
ЯА-00079, P# S418b, Salmon on beige, Katz Auction, UNC
Geographic Link – Simferopol?
The PMG-certified ЯА-00006 note names Simferopol as the issuing city. This would place the ЯА series within the Crimean phase of the White movement, under General Wrangel, separate from the main ЧБ-PS418 series issued in Rostov-on-Don.
This supports the idea that these notes were a later printing (1919–1920), possibly issued under duress or in anticipation of evacuation, and maybe never circulated widely.
Additional Observations:
Colour differences suggest at least two subtypes within the ЯА series
Notes were printed with the Mosaic watermark (as confirmed by PMG)
PMG recognises these as legitimate S418c notes, even in variant form
Seeking Input:
Are there more ЯА-series notes known to collectors or museums?
Has this variant ever been described in Russian specialist catalogs or Wrangel-era archives?
Was this a transitional series or something ceremonial/preparatory?
Can we confirm a rough print range for this Simferopol issue?
Any insight, examples, or references would be greatly appreciated!
Спасибо большое!
Images:
Scans comparing my ЯА-00024 with standard PS418
Screenshots of PMG certification and Katz auction listings
Confirmed slab details (cert #8077859-017)
