Showing posts with label notes of British India. Show all posts
Showing posts with label notes of British India. Show all posts

Monday, November 12, 2018

Two Fine Examples of British Currency in India you must have in your collection

The history of British India currency notes has always been fascinating due to which currency of British India is studied by notaphilists all across the globe. Let’s take a detailed look at two uniface notes of British India today.

50 Rupees British India Uniface Note of 1861


When it comes to British currency in India, this 50 Rupees note printed on handmade white paper for Calcutta circle on 13th July 1861 is considered to be very special.  These lovely British India notes were also known as Uniface notes as they featured a portrait of Queen Victoria on one side while the other side was left blank. These rectangular notes of British India had the dimensions 16cm X 30cm, featured the signature of H. Hydes and a prefix A.
The obverse of this currency of British India featured a portrait of Queen Victoria in a floral wreath; 'Government of India'; Serial numbers with prefix on both sides of the promise text; Denomination in words in Bangla and Persian; Circle between printed mirrored dates on both side; Denomination in numerals in a panel in Persian and Bangla; name of Sub-Circle as an overprint; Hand stamped signature, text 'For The Government Of India; Denomination panel in numerals and words. The Watermark features the text GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, denomination in words and numerals in a rectangle, signature of the finance member of legislative Council, Sir James Wilson, signature of the Governor General, Lord canning, wavy lines in central promise text panel.

1000 Rupees British India Uniface Note of 1867 


British Currency in India was issued in various denominations and designs. This British Indian currency note bore the denomination 1000 Rupees and was issued for Calcutta circle on white handmade moulded paper on 8th July 1867. These rectangular British India currency notes had the dimension 12cm X 17cm and featured designs only on one side. This Uniface Specimen note featured the prefix B and four languages on the language panel namely, Urdu, Hindi, Kaithi, Bengali.
The obverse of this currency of British India featured a Green underprint with two serial numbers; Language panel; Serial numbers on both sides below the language panel; text 'Government Of India'; two pairs of mirrored dates, Circle of Issue, promise text; Denomination panel on both sides; '1000/Rupees' in a hexagon in the top corners; 'For The Government Of India', signature; Irregular ovals under serial numbers and a big text '1000' inside the promise text. The watermark on these old notes of British India featured Wavy lines within a wavy rectangular panel, “INDIA”, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, Vertical RUPEES, Plate number in an alphabet, week and year of printing in four digits.

Not many would be lucky enough to have a special collection of British Currency in India. Keep looking for them, and let us know if you find anything interesting!