The N#203931 page currently overlays two banknotes that look similar but are actually quite different. P#10 has a full serial number and was issued in the 1905-1912 issue of the Imperial Russian Rouble, while P#35 has a block # and was issued under the Provisional Government in the 1917 issue of the First Soviet Rouble. By splitting these two notes, it would better highlight the differences and make it easier to identify the series of each banknote individually.
Edit: I am in the process of updating some of the Russian banknotes, it makes more sense to split this from an organisation standpoint as well. P#10 is issued originally by the Russian Empire, while P#35 is issued by the Provisional Government.
We can show the two different ruling authorities without needing to split the note. The only difference is the serial number, which seems to be clearly described in the comments.
Former Numista referee for banknotes from Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Saint Helena.
While true that the only design difference is the serial number, it does not change the fact that they are different authorities under which the notes are issued. A widely used example of where the notes are split into two is at http://www.banknote.ws/COLLECTION/countries/EUR/RUS/RUS.htm; it clearly illustrates how P#10 is categorically the Russian Empire, while P#35 is the Provisional Government. What you’re suggesting could leave it open to combine something of P#10 and N#228001, where the only design difference is an overprint stamp and text differences. Keeping the two banknotes together would also create unnecessary clutter for the page where, when updated to show all the variants, would have well over 50 variants displayed, comparable to the N#201734.
For me, the two cases are distinct. The overstamp created a new issue from a new issuer (North Russia), changing the serial number to a block number didn't, although it may be correlated to the change in ruling authority. We shouldn't worry about long lists of variants, since they all exist (in this case with different signatures). I don't see that as clutter.
Former Numista referee for banknotes from Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Saint Helena.
The update being to the note, I haven’t done anything regarding P#35. I’ve had a few people contact me about it during the verification process about adding on to Pick numbers for making the variants clearer, i.e. “P#10b.1.1” or “P#10b(1-1)” or “P#10b1[-1/.1]” instead of the “P#10b” in the SCWPM. I’ve had varying opinions regarding these and so far no definitive decision.
The update being to the note, I haven’t done anything regarding P#35. I’ve had a few people contact me about it during the verification process about adding on to Pick numbers for making the variants clearer, i.e. “P#10b.1.1” or “P#10b(1-1)” or “P#10b1[-1/.1]” instead of the “P#10b” in the SCWPM. I’ve had varying opinions regarding these and so far no definitive decision.
