Nilaish Banknotes World

The Signatures of European officers on the Bank of Bengal banknotes  Bank of Bengal picture lithographed by Vincent Robert Alfred Brooks. One of the eight views of Calcutta. Published in London in 1870.  Bank of Bengal was established as Bank of Calcutta in 1806. The name later in 1809 changed to 'Bank of Bengal' (above). The bank was started by the capital of 5 million sicca Rupees. Bank of Bengal issued banknotes of broadly categorised three series. Namely, Uniface, Commerce and Britannia series. It seem to be forgotten by the collectors of Indian Paper Money that these notes are the origin of Indian Numismatics. I am thankful to Mr Rezwan Razack for showing his unique collection of presidency banknotes of India (1810 to 1860). This article unveils some signatories on the banknotes of Bank of Bengal.  Uniface series: Henry Tyler  The only known signature on the uniface series. Henry Tyler joined the office in Jan. 1809 and retired from ...

The evolution of Indian Paper Money since 1810 A.D.  The actual use of the earliest banknotes is recorded in 1810, in the Bengal Presidency by Bank of Bengal. Bank of Bengal was established as 'Bank of Calcutta' in 1806 in Calcutta (Kolkata) and later the name changed into Bank of Bengal in 1809. The earliest banknotes were printed from one side only and are recognized as, Uniface Series. An example of Uniface series banknote with year of issue 1813 is shown below (n.1):  n.1, A 250 Sicca Rupees banknote issued by Bank of Bengal in 1813.  The only identified signatory in the uniface series is known: Henry Tyler. 1820s shows the change of the design of banknotes, by which they started printing on both sides. The new series are called, 'Commerce Series'. The vignette used to depict the 'Commerce' was a personified royal lady with a deceptor sitting on the articles of merchandise. A 100 Sicca Rupees note issued in 1825 is shown below with new design (n...