Rare Russian Soviet Uzbekistan 1920 Silk 5000 Ruble

In April of 1920 Khiva Khanate was proclaimed the Soviet National Republic of Khorezm. The same year the republic government had to realize emission of local banknotes, which were started to be produced on silk and only partially on paper. 

There were a few reasons explaining the decision to produce the money on silk fabric so called “shelkovka”. First of all, the silk producing craft was well developed on the territory of the region. Second reason was the lack of paper, even of poor quality. Third reason was a perspective of silk banknotes longevity.

The emission, according to the data of the catalogues, consisted of the banknotes of 250, 500, 750, 1000, and 5000 value issued in 1338 and 1339 of Islamic calendar (Khidjra).

If we compare the date of Hidjra calendar to the intervals of Gregorian calendar it turns out that 1338 coincides with the interval from September 26 of 1919 to September 14 of 1920. That means that the banknotes of the first series were put into operation in 1920 in the period between April (when the republic was proclaimed) and middle of September.  The banknotes of the second series (1339 coincides with the interval from Sepetember 16, 1920 to September 3, 1921) were put into circulation in the period of September 1920 – March 1921.

The technology of silk money producing was amazingly primitive. Purposely woven silk fabric was made (woven) by silk weavers. The width of the silk strip was 11 centimeters. Then peculiar patterns were printed with special blocks on the both sides of the silk banknotes. Blocks were made out of Elm tree, a tree which is planted in Central Asia and used to produce wood carved items.  After the patterns were printed, the strip was cut into equal pieces.

The silk banknotes were ones of the most fancy banknotes which have ever been  produced in the world. Historian-appraisers mention that the most beautiful ones among the silk banknotes were the banknote of 1000 value. Textual part is printed on a silk of violet, dark blue and blue tints. It is a real piece of art miniature and it reminds an oriental carpet.

Scholars of the Oriental Faculty of St.Petersburg State University succeeded to interpret the content of all the inscriptions on both sides of the 1000 banknote written in Turkic language.  The value of the banknote is printed in Arabic digits.

The digits of the banknote value (1000) is ornamented in oriental way and printed on the right (main) side  of the banknote to the right and left sides of the vignette with the sign “Tisyacha rubley” (One thousand rubles).

There is a sign above the vignette, it says: “Paper money “banknotes” of the Soviet National Republic of Khorezm”. The date (year) of issuing (1338 A.H.) is stated on the frame. There are imprints over the vignette. They are following:

-         Chairman of Prime Minister Khadji Palvan Niyaz Yusupov

-         Minister of Finances, Mukhammed Penakh Mammed Rakhimov

-         Cashier

-         Mukhammed Amin Ishdjanov

At the foot of the frame – the issue date – 1920.

There is an inscription at the upper part of the frame on the back of the banknote: - “These paper banknotes are guaranteed by all assets of state”.

At the lower part of the frame it is written: “The person caught in forgery is prosecuted”. Issue date – 1920.

The national emblem is depicted at the center of the banknote’s back. “Pyat’ tisyach” (five thousand) is printed to the left of the national emblem. The banknote value in digits (5000) is printed to the right of the national emblem.

Khiva silk bonds are a great collection rarity nowadays. There are just a few hundreds of Khiva bonds in state and private collections in Museum of  Uzbekistan .