Rare Currency Notes on offer!

"Collecting rare banknotes is a lifelong obsession for many collectors of paper money, it is utter shame to neglect the rare notes which forms the foundation of Indian Numismatics."

Nilaish Sharma, F.R.N.S., M.B.A., Esq. 
Proprietor, BIDS & WINS Enterprise 
Fellow of Royal Numismatic Society 

I have been collecting Indian Paper Money since 1999. Earlier ca. 1999, I was interested only in 1 Rupee notes which later transformed into a very obsessive whole new field called, Indian Paper Money! I was only a collector of ordinary nature back then, came across the notes with cut note dealers in Patna, which later fastened my visit to SPINK, London in 2011 for the first time. All these years grabbing the finest opportunity to meet renowned collectors and Auction companies was my fortunate luck. I was surprised to notice that only few collectors of Indian Paper Money fall into the category of early paper money of India (1800-1861). Rest others consume their capacity and interest in British India Portrait Notes. I will like to outline some rare early paper money of India between 1800 and 1861 A.D. currently offered by our partner company Priceless Collectables LLP. A very few examples remain of these notes.

Early Notes in trade: An Introduction 
Indian Paper Money is known in existence since 1812, when Bank of Bengal was formed by Charter in 1809 A.D by Lord Minto at Calcutta. The earliest notes which were in use between 1810 and 1861 were of banks; Bank of Hindostan, Bank of Bengal, Calcutta Bank, Union Bank, Commercial Bank, Bank of Bombay, Bank of Western India, Oriental Bank, Commercial Bank of India, Asiatic Bank, Madras Government Bank and Bank of Madras. Out of these banks only few notes of Bank of Bengal, Bank of Hindostan, Bank of Bombay, Oriental Bank and Commercial Bank are traded in the market by dealers and auctioneers around the world in the past 10 years. In this blog I will restrict to some rare notes which are on offer by Priceless Collectables LLP .

1. Bank of Bengal, 1814, 250 Sicca Rupees 

Bank of Bengal, 250 Sicca Rupees, 14th July 1814, cut-sign, 

top left slight corner missing, Serial number 2644A, 

signed by Accountant: Henry Tyler 

Image Courtesy: Nilaish, Esq.

In Razack et al. (2012) these notes are catalogued having reference number: 1A.3.1.1. The plate note in the book has date 3rd September 1812. The other close dates in private collections are; 22nd October 1813 and May 1819. This date is observed on this note only so far. The existence is estimated less than 10-20 in the world of this type. A very rare note indeed is currently on offer at a very conservative estimate of INR 18,00,000-19,00,000. It will appeal to the collector who considers investing in the foundation of Indian Numismatics.

2. Bank of Bengal, 1832, 1000 Sicca Rupees

Bank of Bengal, 6th June 1832, 1000 Sicca Rupees, Ink burn, PMG 20

Image Courtesy: Nilaish, Esq.

Razack et al. (2012) reports type as 1A.3.6.9. Commerce Series: Allegorical Lady sitting on the articles of merchandise. Signature is cut out from the lower left. Serial number 15939 on the centre on right and left at the top. The note is signed by the second accountant of Bank of Bengal, H. Henderson (1824-1836). The same type is in RBI monetary museum with serial number 15940. This banknote is uncatalogued in the auction catalogues. Thus, makes it rarely seen. Cancelled stamp on the centre. It is very hard to ascertain the price as the price works purely on the demand and supply, but conservatively we estimate the value between: INR. 17,50,000-18,00,000. 

3. Bank of Bengal, 1853, 1000 Company's Rupees

Bank of Bengal, 15th April 1853, Signed by Accountant C.N. Cooke, Secretary J.B. Plumb 

PMG 8, Repaired at the back, exceedingly rare and thus presentable. 

Razack et al. (2012) reports this as 1A.3.9.9. The Bank of Bengal on 15th April 1853 issued this currency note of denomination 1000 Company’s Rupees. Signature is from the left lower middle edge. Serial no. 11887 on the top near the personified Commerce. This banknote is uncatalogued in the major banknote auction catalogues. Thus, makes it rarely seen because the signature is intact which is of J.B. Plumb. Cancelled stamp on the centre of  Bank of Bengal dated in 1901 thus an interesting notice. PMG 8 only graded note of this type. We conservatively estimate this note between INR 18,00,000-19,00,000. 

4. Bank of Bombay, 1857, Ten Rupees

Bank of Bombay, 1857, Ten Rupees, Un-cut, Exceedingly rare. 

Razack et al. (2012) reports this as type 1B.1.2.1. Very rarely traded in the market. Slightly repaired but very presentable. We welcome interest on this note as only few Bank of Bombay notes remain in the market for collectors.Please do ask the price for this note.

Reference:

Razack, Rezwan; Jhunjhunwalla, Kishore; (2012), “The Revised Standard Reference Guide to Indian Paper Money”, 1st edn., Currencies & Coins, Mumbai. 

For buying any of these notes please immediately contact: nilaish@in.com