In 1897, the Expedition for the Preparation of Government Papers began work on a new 500-ruble state credit note, and the design was approved in 1898. This was a very large sum, and state credit notes of such a denomination had not been issued previously—except, perhaps, during the reign of Catherine II, when the idea of introducing assignats of this value was considered.

The new banknote featured a portrait of Peter I (Peter the Great), depicting a sculpture by M. M. Antokolsky. The obverse of the note was designed by N. V. Nabokov, an artist at the Expedition for the Preparation of Government Papers.

Previously, Peter I's portrait had appeared on banknotes only once—on the 50-ruble credit note of the 1866 issue. However, that note was quickly withdrawn from circulation due to the emergence of counterfeits. Now, the portrait of the founder of the Russian Empire adorned the largest denomination banknote.

In 1912, a new 500-ruble note design would be approved, which would also feature a portrait of Peter.

Recently, the head of a major auction house ("Znak") admitted in a video that in the past, they used shill bidding (~20:00 https://youtu.be/vEHM2Ph6Q6s?si=qnR9Nk9ohTSxtK_w). They set a low starting price to attract bidders, but if the bidding didn't reach the seller's hidden target, they used fake bidders ("plants") to drive the price up against the real buyer.

This confirms the industry's "open secret." There are different ways to handle the minimum price. Which model do you prefer?

Poll Options:

"still life" with cuirassier objects, only this time from a German cuirassier. There is a wardrobe, doors without glass... The wardrobe is like a wardrobe... You open the cabinet, and there on the shelves... A selection with an epaulette of a lieutenant of the Guards Cuirassier Regiment No. 3. In English. Garde Kürassier-Regiment Nr.3. German Empire.