The Kherson Government Land Bank (Земскій Банкъ Херсонской Губерніи), a major institution of Russian agricultural credit founded in 1864 in Odessa, financed the landowners of the rich Ukrainian steppes through these mortgage bonds. The system of zemstvo (provincial) banks formed the backbone of mortgage credit in pre-revolutionary Russia.

This certificate is a BEARER MORTGAGE BOND OF 1000 ROUBLES at 4.5% annual interest, issued in Odessa in 1913. Series 10, number No. 71715. Beautiful pink/salmon shade. Central oval vignette depicting a Ukrainian rural scene with peasants (reapers and an agricultural family). Mention of semi-annual payment (1 March and 1 September) and amortization of 22 roubles 50 kopecks per payment. Kherson coat of arms at the bottom. Handwritten signatures of the officials. Border adorned with geometric motifs with repeated "4 1/2 %" mentions.

Apparent condition: very good, fresh color, clean paper, light handling marks, small tear on the right edge.

A very pretty colorful certificate, sought after for its agricultural iconography and its link to pre-revolutionary Ukrainian history.