I have two identical Russian 10000 Ruble banknotes both dated 1919. Both have the same serial number, a reversed R and a K then -017 Are they genuine or not ? Were these notes produced in batches and all with the same number ? Any help on this would be appreciated. Thanks Brian.
I think you will find this thread interesting, and maybe even a photo like yours. I used the search bar above for "russian banknotes" https://www.cointalk.com/threads/early-soviet-banknotes.79761/#post-743495
These are not serial numbers (which supposed to be unique), they are more of a series mark. It was much easier to print them in often harsh conditions, so no time to think about proper serials numeration. The 2 letters + 3 numbers combination is common on many banknotes from the civil war period. Sometimes different letters+numbers indicated different print locations, or changed signatures/design etc. Same notes with certain 2 letters can indicate the notes were printed under Soviet reign during one year, other letters show it was under someone else, whoever was in charge, during different years. Nothing on notes from the photo says they might be fake. You might have 2 notes from a batch of 1000 or 10000 or 1000000 with exact same serials.
I'm pretty sure I have a note exactly like this one. The inscription on the obverse says that it was issued by the state treasury of the high command of armed forces in Southern Russia. Judging by the double headed eagle it would be White Russian (i.e. non-Communist). It obviously wouldn't have circulated for long as it was worthless after the Bolshevik victory.
