KGV 100 Rupees Quarter Notes

100 Rupees Quarter Notes

Can we can consider them emergency money?

Examples illustrated below:

King George V, 100 Rupees Quarter note (Obverse & Reverse) 

with black overprint: "LEGAL TENDER IN BURMA ONLY". Issuing Circle: Rangoon 

In the above illustration Note: On the reverse Y / R12 11 37 is stamped in black. 

Image Curtsey: Yogesh Kumar 

Same as above but on the reverse: Stamped in black C / R16 9 37

During the World War II (1939-45) the instances of King George V 100 Rupees quarter notes are known. In the above illustrations: The bottom left quarters of the notes have serial numbers T/32 852269 and T/32 847751 respectively.  It is believed that the quarters of the currency notes were used during 1939-1945. The 100 Rupees currency notes with King George V portrait and overprints on the obverse & Reverse; LEGAL TENDER IN BURMA ONLY, in black and red were issued in 1937. This is the year when Burma became the separate colony of the Great Britain. The WWII started in 1939 and by March 1942, Japanese troops advanced at Rangoon. British Administration had collapsed gradually and soon in 1948 Burma got its independence from the British rule. From the above survived examples we know on the reverse of the quarters serial number type digits are stamped in black. I am presenting the persistent question among numismatists that: can these examples be regarded as "Emergency Money"?

Obverse & Reverse of the KGV 100 Rupees Currency notes issued at Madras, India in 1927-28. The above quarter notes are parts of this similar type except the overprint in black on the obverse and reverse, as stated above. Image Curtsey: Nilaish Esq.  

British Troops firing a mortar on the Mawchi Road in July 1944.  The WWII consumed Burma heavily due to constant wars and gradually it resulted with the failure of Japanese rule in July 1945. 

(Image Curtsey: Imperial War Museum, London) 

There are some important notices with regard to the question to consider that these quarter notes had money value:

1. They were used as emergency money after Japanese troops left Burma. It is an assumption from some numismatists. Truth needs to be set in the direction of to prove this point.  

2. It is understood that each quarter represented 25 Rupees, but logically it is deducted that the quarters without the serial numbers were not used. Assumption needs identification. Only diagonal quarters were used as they contained serial numbers and each quarter was 50 Rupees. This is again an assumption. The assumption needs to be supported.  

3. The stamped codes on the reverse of the quarter notes as shown above, resembles supposedly "Issue Numbers" as there will be two quarters with similar serial numbers. What is the logic of these stamped serial numbers?

4. If all four quarters were used, then we need to observe the surviving other quarters without serial numbers, and observe the issuing number on the reverse of those pieces if it exists. This will prove that all quarters were used and each quarter was equal to 25 Rupees. 

Please make your valuable comments on this essay. This essay is revised after the first comment made by the Indian Paper Money Expert: Mr Rezwan Razack (Chairman IBNS-Indian Banknote Chapter). 

Some Portrait Notes of King George VI

1 Rupee Notes 

2 Rupees 

5 Rupees

10 Rupees 

All other types will be updated soon. 

100 Rupees 

1000 Rupees 

(Similar note is in my collection with different numbers Fine grade, Image Curtsey: RoneWise) 

10,000 Rupees 

Image curtsey: RBI Monetary Museum 

Images Curtsey: Nilaish Esquires. 

Some Portrait Notes of King George V

1 Rupee Notes

One Rupee issued in 1917, Signed by from Top; AC McWatters, MMS Gubbay, H. Denning 

Reverse of the notes is not shown for other last two signatures as it is similar with some differences. 

1935, 1 Rupee Signed by J.W. Kelly 

2 Rupees and 8 Annas Note 

2 Rs. and 8 Annas note issued in 1918 and withdrawn from circulation in 1927. Issued in Burma at Rangoon and signed by MMS Gubbay 

5 Rupees Notes 

10 Rupees Notes

100 Rupees Notes

Issued in 1928 at Madras. 

The images are for literacy purpose. Image Curtsey: Nilaish ESQ. 

Some Rare Republic India Banknotes

1 Rupee notes 

1949, 1 Rupee, Issued by Govt. of India and signed by KRK Menon 

1950, 1 Rupee, Issued by Govt. of India and signed by KG Ambedgoankar (Reverse is similar to the previous note). 

1951, 1 Rupee, Issued by Govt. of India and signed by KG Ambedgoankar (Change in design from the first issue having green shade). 

1951, 1 Rupee, Issued by Govt. of India and signed by KG Ambedgoankar (Change in shade to violet). Reverse is similar to the previous type. 

1964, 1 Rupee, Issued by Govt. of India and signed by S. Bhootlingam (Extremely Rare) 

1994, 1 Rupee, Last issue. 

2 Rupees 

1950, 2 Rupees, Issued by Reserve Bank of India and signed by B. Rama Rao (Hindi numeral on the obverse in the top left corner) Rare 

10 Rupees 

1949, 10 Rupees, Issued by RBI and Signed by Sir C.D. Deshmukh (Extremely Rare)

1954, 10 Rupee, Issued by RBI, Signed by B RamaRao (Hindi error) 

100 Rupees Cobalt Colour rarities 

100 Rupees, Issued on 26th March 1975 on this agricultural issue with cobalt colour is great rarity. These notes were signed by S. Jagannathan were issued in only two prefixes AA and AB known so far. Very scarce chances to secure an example of this type. Collect them. 

100 Rupees, Issued between 1975 and 1977. Signed by M. Narasimham. Very rare issue as only two prefixes are known to exist namely: BF and BG. Another magnet banknote in the Republic Indian Banknotes. An example is very desirable for advancing your collection.     

References:

1. Razack, R.; Jhunjhunwalla, K. (2012) The revised standard reference guide for Indian Paper Money, Currencies & Coins: Mumbai: 242-342. 

2. Auction Catalogues. 

3. ebay India stores. 

All images are subjected to copyright law and it is advised to consult Nilaish Esq. for details on usage.