Government of India, 50 Rupees, 10 March 1920, Red Underprint, Calcutta,
Signed by James Braid Taylor.
Image Courtesy: Rezwan Razack
India's biggest collector of banknotes, Rezwan Razack shared recently with me this myth buster note. I had never heard of J.B. Taylor sign on uniface note! This note establishes the fact that, J.B. Taylor signed few notes. This note has serial number RD/41 43972. Mr Razack is recognized as the author of standard reference guide in Indian Paper Money [1]. I find this coming year to be fun and I am staying buckled to note all what I see and will see! Happy New Year my readers and well wishers!!!
It is unique. In fact, curious as Denning and Taylor were simultaneously working in the currency department. But it is ambiguous that how two people can sign at the same time. This fact can be seen from the 1917 one rupee note in which Denning also signed. Denning was holding office since 1923 to 1929, according to Jhunjhunwalla book and Taylor from 1926 to 1929. So signing the 50 rupees currency note six years prior to that is baffling. Unless we have the exact date of their employment at he Currency department, it remains a puzzle. Or another reason could be the left over blank notes were stamped and used anytime during the tenure of Taylor before the actual multicolour note was introduced in 1930. Denning signed notes with date 10 March 1920 appears with prefix SD, perhaps the RD consignment was discovered later/arrived later and put to use. Of course, all these are only assumptions.
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