The Kherson Government Land Bank (Земскій Банкъ Херсонской Губерніи) was one of the oldest zemstvo land banks in the Russian Empire, founded in 1864 in Odessa. It granted mortgage loans to agricultural landowners of southern Ukraine (Kherson province, black-earth lands) by issuing mortgage bonds (закладной листъ) secured by land property.

This certificate is a BEARER MORTGAGE BOND OF 5000 ROUBLES at 4.5% annual interest, payable semi-annually (1 March and 1 September), issued in Odessa in 1913. Series 10, number No. 25948. Grey/sepia tones, a magnificent central oval vignette depicting Ukrainian agricultural peasants (reapers, harvest scenes) — agricultural iconography typical of the Ukrainian steppe. Mentions concerning the loan terms (1 March 1914) and amortization (112 roubles 50 kopecks). Kherson coat of arms at the bottom. Handwritten signatures of the Chairman, the Directors, the Cashier and the Accountant.

Apparent condition: very good, clean paper, finely detailed engraving, light fold marks and a small tear on the left edge.

A highly sought-after piece of Russo-Ukrainian agricultural scripophily, a large denomination (5000 roubles), superb iconography.