The first set of British
India notes were the 'Victoria Portrait' Series issued in denominations
of 10, 20, 50, 100, 1000. These were unifaced, carried two language
panels and were printed on hand-moulded paper manufactured at the
Laverstock Paper Mills (Portals). The security features incorporated the
watermark (GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, RUPEES, two signatures and wavy lines),
the printed signature and the registration of the notes.
Rupees Ten Rupees Hundered
British India Notes
facilitated inter-spatial transfer of funds. As a security precaution,
notes were cut in half. One set was sent by post. On confirmation of
receipt, the other half was despatched by post.
Half note
This series remained largely unchanged till the introduction of the 'King's Portrait' series which commenced in 1923.
Green Underprint - Rupees Five Hundred
Green Underprint - Rupees Five
Red Underprint - Rupees Fifty
Small Denomination Notes
The introduction of small denomination notes in
India was essentially in the realm of the exigent. Compulsions of the
first World War led to the introduction of paper currency of small
denominations. Rupee One was introduced on 30th November, 1917 followed
by the exotic Rupees Two and Annas Eight. The issuance of these notes
was discontinued on 1st January, 1926 on cost benefit considerations.
These notes first carried the portrait of King George V and were the
precursors of the 'King's Portrait' Series which were to follow.
Rupee One - Obverse
Rupee One -Reverse
Rupees Two and Annas Eight - Obverse King's Portrait Series
Regular
issues of this Series carrying the portrait of George V were introduced
in May, 1923 on a Ten Rupee Note. The King's Portrait Motif continued as
an integral feature of all Paper Money issues of British India.
Government of India continued to issue currency notes till 1935 when the
Reserve Bank of India took over the functions of the Controller of
Currency. These notes were issued in denominations of Rs 5, 10, 50, 100,
500, 1000, 10,000.
Rupees Fifty
Rupees One Thousand
Rupees Ten Thousand
the Bank's issues to January 1938 when the first Five Rupee note was issued bearing the portrait of George VI.
Rupees Five - First Note issued by Reserve Bank of India
This was followed by Rs 10 in February, Rs 100 in March and Rs 1,000 and Rs 10,000 in June 1938.
Rupees One Hundred
Rupees One Thousand
Rupees Ten Thousand
In
August 1940, the one-rupee note was reintroduced, once again as a war
time measure, as a Government note with the status of a rupee coin,
Rupee One Obverse
Rupee One Reverse
Rupees Two
As an added security feature, the security thread was introduced for the first time in India.
George VI Profile
George VI Frontal
The George VI series continued till 1947 and thereafter as a frozen series till 1950 when post independence notes were issued.
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