Russian Bond dated 1822 signed by Nathan Mayer Rothschild

Historic Russian Bond signed by Nathan Mayer Rothschild dated 1822. This early Russian Bond was for 720 Rubles or 111 Pounds Sterling. The bond is written in Russian on the face, with the English translation or transaction on the back. The bond shows some signs of wear and is reinforced, but the signature is in nice condition. The certificate has an imprinted tax stamp and two embossed seals on the bottom ( One in English and the other in Russian ). The embossed seal says "Russian Loan 1822 Contracted by N. M. Rothschild". The historic certificate is over 189 years old. Signs of wear with foxing and reinforced repair on verso.


Certificate Vignette



This Russian bond from 1822 is widely recognized as the first Eurobond. Issued by the House of Rothschild in London, Frankfurt, Paris and Vienna, the bond promised payment in European currencies, as well as in Russian rubles. Perhaps more importantly, dividends could be claimed in any of the above cities -- effectively protecting the bondholder from the effects of a continental war -- if you are forced to flee the country, you can take your bonds with you to any one of four safe havens and expect payment! This is certified by none other than Nathan Rothschild -- one of the most famous investment bankers of all time. His signature appears on the upper right hand side of the bond. Missing from the bond are the original coupons -- they were all clipped and exchanged for payment. Although titled an annuity, the 1822 issue was a perpetuity -- a promise by Russia to pay a dividend to the bondholder forever -- or at least until the Revolution of 1917.

Below is an image of the signature:



Nathan Mayer Rothschild (1777-1836) founded the British branch of the Rothschild banking house in London in 1805 and became the first Jew admitted to the House of Lords. He took a leading part in managing and financing the subsidies that the British government transferred to its allies during the Napoleonic Wars. Nathan Mayer's eldest son, Lionel Nathan Rothschild (1808-79), who succeeded him as manager of the London branch, financed the British government's purchase of a controlling interest in the Suez Canal in 1875. Lionel Nathan also became the first Jewish member of the British Parliament. Lionel's son, Sir Nathan Mayer, 1st Baron Rothschild (1840-1915), was a member of Parliament and, in 1855, was created the first Jewish peer in Great Britain. The Rothschild banking house in London continued under the management of Lionel de Rothschild (1882-1942) and Anthony Gustav de Rothschild (1887-1961), both great-great-grandsons of Mayer Amschel. The London branch remains today an important banking establishment among Western nations.