25 Roubles

The Georgian Democratic Republic was among the short-lived Transcaucasian states that emerged after the collapse of the Russian Empire, declaring independence in May 1918. It issued its own currency — the lari and bon — before being absorbed by the Red Army in February 1921. This 25 Rouble note dates from 1919, when the young republic was navigating simultaneous pressure from Ottoman forces, Denikin's Whites, and Bolshevik encroachment, all while attempting to establish credible monetary institutions from scratch.

The choice to denominate in roubles rather than a fully localized unit reflects the transitional monetary thinking of that moment — the old Russian rouble remained the familiar reference point even as independence was being asserted.