Old Indian currency

Posted on 05. Mar, 2007 by in General, India

I was surprised when this landed in my e-mail. An excellent collection of 20 odd pictures of old Indian currency. The star is the 10,000 rupee note!

 

This email claims that 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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514 Responses to “Old Indian currency”

  1. kumar

    11. Jun, 2009

    I am looking for pak ovpt and british,portuguse india bank notes also cash coupons.

  2. Asim

    11. Jun, 2009

    I have that particular note 5 deers on the reverse.

  3. sridhar

    12. Jun, 2009

    Hi i shall be needing 1961 nickel one paisa coin and 1964 copper one paisa coin please let me know if any body has got this one paisa coins
    call me on 09848499670 or mail me on sridhar447@gmail.com

  4. PSR.RAJU

    12. Jun, 2009

    Hi Everybody, I am PSR. RAJU , I am collecting Indian and world coins from 1974 onwards . All coins I collected whenever time permits bcos I am working in AP. State Road Transport Corp. Hyderabad .The coins are abt more than 3000 which include Indian, world, some are Handmade, Ancient etc. If any one need come and see the coins and offer the price . THANKS.

  5. Kanhaiya Mehrotra

    15. Jun, 2009

    Hi everyone
    I am a genuine buyer/seller of world currency,indian currency,coins,Stamps.I have lots of silver coins of india genuine buyers can contact me their choices on kanhaiyamehrotranumismatic@gmail.com
    with regards
    kanhaiya Mehrotra
    Bangalore

  6. manoj

    15. Jun, 2009

    i , interest in 5 rupee how much

  7. manoj

    15. Jun, 2009

    to ,

    sanjay ji ,
    hello i have interest for 5
    rupee how much

  8. jai shree

    17. Jun, 2009

    I have a 100 rupee not date stamped on it is 1861.
    What will be the value of this note?

  9. Neeraj Jhalani

    17. Jun, 2009

    I am interested in Buying Rs Two annas eight note.Also if you have anything more can send me the photos via e-mail.

  10. Neeraj Jhalani

    18. Jun, 2009

    Hi, I am interested in Buying Old Indian British Times Currency Notes of good condition.
    I would like to also have the seal packed booklets of the old Indian British Notes if anyone has.
    Following are the notes (Rs 10 , Rs100 ,
    Rs 5000 , Rs 10,000 , Rs Two & Eight Annas )
    Please do send me the pictures of the notes you want to sell.
    Please , only serious and genuine Sellers are required.
    For contact :
    neerajj2002@yahoo.co.in

  11. manoj kumar saket

    18. Jun, 2009

    i have one thousand note of king geroje&c.d.desmukh rs 5 with five dears &three dears 10 rs with p bhatacharysa &many more any buyer

  12. Noah Edmond

    18. Jun, 2009

    I have inherited a few INDIAN Rupees and a lot of coins dating back to the British Era, from the East India Company.
    10 Rupees Side1–One Peacock Side2-Three peacocks
    10 Rupees signed by C.D.Deshmukh
    5 Rupees signed by C.D.Deshmukh
    100 Rupees East India Company
    100 Rupees Eagle with a Globe
    5 Rupees Old one.

    And copper coins,victorian coins,gandhi ji coin,Indira gandhi rudraksha coin,ram darbar coins,1839 copper annas,quarter anna,half anna n many more……………..

    If any one is interested contact me on my email address—noah.edmond@gmail.com.

  13. Noah Edmond

    18. Jun, 2009

    Whats your mail id?

  14. Noah Edmond

    18. Jun, 2009

    What is your email address?

  15. m.d masood

    19. Jun, 2009

    any body has indira gandhi 1 rupee font facing coin weaing mala/hara mail us if its orginal
    price will be paid on the spot itself if your coin genuine………….god bless all

    our mail id mdmasood@aol.in

    thanks regards
    m.d.masood.khan

  16. shubham singh

    20. Jun, 2009

    i have collection of many rare notes lyk two rupees and eight annas and note of fancy number lyk 111111 etc

  17. shubham singh

    20. Jun, 2009

  18. shubham singh

    20. Jun, 2009

    i have fresh packet of two rs note………

  19. shubham singh

    20. Jun, 2009

    my phone no.is 0512 3013005

  20. shubham singh

    20. Jun, 2009

    i hve fancy no. note of 500 rs . u call me on 9889470812

  21. shubham singh

    20. Jun, 2009

    i have
    King george ( 1 anna) 1939
    King george (1/4 rupee) 1943
    King george (quarter rupee) 1947
    King george (1/2 rupee) 1947
    King george (1 rupee) 1947
    King george (quarter rupee) 1946
    King george (1 anna) 1936
    King george (2 anna) 1940

  22. manish arora

    21. Jun, 2009

    i have 5 rupee note with 3 deers in standing position. u can call me 09356007171

  23. Indrajit Mandal

    22. Jun, 2009

    I have a Rs.100 with two elephants picture backside and a Rs.10 bearing boat with sail. If anyone interested to buy please contact in my ID-m.indrajit7@gmail.com

  24. abhinav

    22. Jun, 2009

    i have collection of queen victoria and king george coins and c.d deshmukh and taylor signed notes
    pls call 094250-92766

  25. rajesh sen

    25. Jun, 2009

    i have old currency note plz cot. me at 9415153013

  26. prasoon gupta

    25. Jun, 2009

    wanna sell special currency 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000 with numbers like 786786, 78600000, 07860786, 01010101, 11111111, 22222, 333333333, 786786786……… can contact me through mails

  27. Harischandra shetty

    26. Jun, 2009

    Hi any one,
    i am intrested in collecting old currency notes of india and silver and gold coins. if anybody haves it kindly call my cell no 09448910986 or 09611968925. i need currency notes printed by india before 1970.

    Harish

  28. kamal sharma

    27. Jun, 2009

    send me your cantact no ….on my emails add…

  29. kamal sharma

    27. Jun, 2009

    i have 1 paise my contact no is 09993541173

  30. kamal sharma

    27. Jun, 2009

    i hav a 3,4,5dear note…. of Rs 5 if you r intersted u can give me your offer rate..then i will deside

  31. bharath

    28. Jun, 2009

    i want 10 rs &5rs old currency notes urgentely contact me fast bharath 9480221307 with 3 r 5 deers

  32. bharath

    28. Jun, 2009

    i am from banglore call me

  33. manish khandelwal

    30. Jun, 2009

    i have more currency i want to sell them. if any one want contact me

  34. shahid

    03. Jul, 2009

    hello,

    everyone I just wanted to get seven deers on five rupees any position and any governor and any number of quantities.

    urgently required please call on 9221221447 or email me on my id.

    waiting for a call.

    regards.

    shahid.

  35. shahid

    03. Jul, 2009

    My email -id would be rizvi.shehzad@gmail.com

    and conatct no :9221221447.

  36. Sandeep

    03. Jul, 2009

    Hello All…. i want to sell my old collection of east india company 1818 and 1839 coins….having half anna and 1404 coin also….Interested people can ring me on 9990998858 or mail me at livelife_kingsize23@yahoo.com
    I m from new Delhi

  37. mohin jangid

    04. Jul, 2009

    dear sir,
    i have 1 indian rupee coins of VI king of emperor since 1942.
    now i want 2 sell the coins if you are intrested in purchasing coins then plz contact me.

    my e-mail id: ishwarhc@rediffmail.com
    contact number: +91-9024459626

  38. Ajay

    05. Jul, 2009

    Hi,
    I am looking for bank note sellers in Chennai.
    Email me at
    lazzzarus320@yahoo.com

  39. koushickkumar

    06. Jul, 2009

    i need old hundred rupees note in year 1975

  40. deepak dalal

    09. Jul, 2009

    i have rs 20 note signed by mr jagannathan with old orange colour and a seal of r.b.i.in big size inside it. aur mere paas ek thaali hai jo ki agar kisiko saanp ne kaat liya hai yeh uski kamar se chipak jaati hai aur jab tak uska jehar nahi utarta ye chipki rehti hai aur jehar utarte hi utar jaati hai.

  41. deepak dalal

    09. Jul, 2009

    MY NO IS 09254581403

  42. Himanshu Manocha

    09. Jul, 2009

    hi all am Himanshu frm Haryana
    i have many coins like Goerge VI King Emperor rs one quarter anna India 1939.,Edward VII king & emperor one quarter anna India 1907,Goerge V King Emperor rs one quarter anna India 1912, 1/2 rupee 1950,1/4 rupee 1951,Goerge VI King Emperor 1/2 anna india 1943,1pice(horse)1950,20 paise(lotus)1971,Goerge VI King Emperor 1/4 rupee 1940,
    20 paise(gandhi)1948,Goerge VI King Emperor 2 annas 1939,Goerge V King Emperor 2 annas 1918,Goerge VI King Emperor half rupee 1947,
    Goerge V King Emperor 1 anna 1925 ,edward vii one rupee silver coin1907,george v one rupee silver coin 1917
    and many more
    any body wants to buy it i want to sell them mail me at himan2305aquarian@gmail.com
    Thanks

  43. Himanshu Manocha

    09. Jul, 2009

    and also a rare coin queen victoria east africa protectorate 1898 REX.Et.IND.IMP 1 pice coin

  44. mahesh.m

    10. Jul, 2009

    hello everyone,
    i have genuine 2o paise coins
    1. lotus and sun
    2. lotus
    3. gandhiji
    buyers can call me and buy these coins at their rate
    contact: mahesh.m 09620474627

  45. REYAZ KHAN

    11. Jul, 2009

    dear reader
    plz help me in 100 rupees signed by governor
    G.B Tailor.plz send me its copy on reyazreyazi@yahoo.co.in

  46. kapil

    12. Jul, 2009

    I HAVE Re.one paper currency note (indian) of the year 1881 ; 25 paise coin 1992 showing a Rhino ; 10 paise coin of 1988 ; 25 paise coin of 1988 showing rhino ; Rs.20 note signed by s. jagannathan (1970 – 1975) ; Rs100 note signed by k.r. puri

  47. kapil

    12. Jul, 2009

    I HAVE Re.one paper currency note (indian) of the year 1881 ; 25 paise coin 1992 showing a Rhino ; 10 paise coin of 1988 ; 25 paise coin of 1988 showing rhino ; Rs.20 note signed by s. jagannathan (1970 – 1975) ; Rs100 note signed by k.r. puri
    my e-mail kapilsi@yahoo.co.in

  48. anup

    12. Jul, 2009

    i am interested in purchasing 5 rupee note (GD DESHMUKH-governor, 5 deers) at any price. please get in touch.

    09179343176

  49. MUBEEN

    12. Jul, 2009

    I have some old indian currency of Victoria, king edward , king George and more 18, 19 centuries coins if any body intrested pls contact +971503865331

  50. MUBEEN

    12. Jul, 2009

    I have some old indian currency of Victoria, king edward , king George and more 18, 19 centuries coins if any body intrested pls contact +971503865331 mubeen_shab@yahoo.co.in