Skip to main content

My Top 10 Rare Early Banknotes of India

1*
Bank of Bengal, 1819, Uniface Series, 250 Sicca Rupees, Serial Number 8246A, issued at Calcutta, signed by first Accountant Henry Tyler of the bank, later Bank of Bengal merged with Bank of Bombay and Bank of Madras to form Imperial Bank of India, which is now known as State Bank of India. Bank of Bengal was the earliest governmental bank in India who issued notes as early as 1812. These notes were cancelled by the bank after making payment to the bearer and took the signature of the Secretary off!  

2* 
Bank of Bengal, 1825, Commerce Series, 100 Sicca Rupees, Serial number 14450, issued at Calcutta, signed by the second accountant H. Henderson of the bank, The signature cut off by the bank and stamped cancelled after paying the bearer. 

3*
Bank of Bengal, 1833, Commerce Series, 100 Sicca Rupees, Serial number 38189, issued at Calcutta, signed by H. Henderson, Cancelled and sign cut. 

4*
Bank of Bengal, 1835, Commerce Series, 50 Sicca Rupees, serial number 47848, issued at Calcutta, signed by the third Accountant H.I. Lee of the bank, Cancelled and cut sign.

5*
Bank of Bengal, 1836, 10 Sicca Rupees, Serial number 34473, issued at Calcutta, signed by H.I. Lee, cancelled and cut sign. 

6*
Bank of Bengal, 1852, 100 company's Rupees, Serial number 40928, issued at Calcutta, signed by H.I. Lee, cancelled and cut sign. 

7*
Bank of Bengal, 1853, 50 Company's Rupees, Serial number 08962, issued at Calcutta, signed by C.N. Cooke accountant of the bank, cancelled and cut sign. 

8*
Bank of Bengal, 1857, 10 Rupees, Britannia series,Serial number 41001, issued at Calcutta, cut from the center, the two halves were sent part-wise for payment to prevent theft or robbery.

9*
Bank of Bombay, 1860, 10 Rupees, Town Hall at the center, Mt Stuart Elphinstone and Sir John Malcolm to the left and right, Serial number A14518, Coat of Arms of East India Company at bottom. 

10*
Bank of Madras, 184X, 3000 Rupees, proof on card, Equestrian statue of Sir Thomas Monroe at the center, Specimen, I have two examples of this note, this is the best grade. 

Note: All notes are from my collection and are not for sale. 







  


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Top Ten Rare Banknotes of India

By Nilaish "Paper money is fragile and when used a lot, loses it's life but collecting them is even a great challenge!"  It is known from various catalouges [1] and [2] that, Indian paper money originated in 19th Century from Bengal Presidency. Bank of Hindostan and Bank of Bengal were the earliest banks in the presidency who issued paper money. The earliest year of issue of Bank of Bengal is 1812. However, notes were issued since 1770 but there is no evidence to support these claims. Indian paper money is divided into roughly four periods, a) East India Company Period (1800-1860), b) British Government of India Issues (1861-1936), c) Reserve Bank of India British Issues (1937-1947) and d) Republic India RBI Issues (1949- ). In the following list, I will pick up some of my personal favourites which are exceedingly rare currency notes of India. The price is not the guiding factor solely for this ranking. One may reshuffle and consider them ... as you wish....funn...
18 comments
Read more

British India One Rupee Notes

by Nilaish (Life Member of IBNS-IBCC) "One Rupee Notes: A legal tender for silver rupee coins to nickel rupee coins, in 1947 all silver content was gone from the rupee."  1917 First issue:  One rupee notes were first issued on 30th November 1917 representing 1917 one rupee silver coin. These notes were issued roughly in two types based on the following facts. Type 1:  The notes were issued in booklet of 25 notes with each note appearing as cheque leaf having perforations on the left. These notes were printed in England. Signed by A.C. Mc Watters. These booklets appeared like modern day cheque-books [see below]. 1917 One Rupee booklet with 25 notes signed by A.C. McWatters  Image Courtesy: Rezwan Razack  Prefixes issued in booklets were, Y and Z only. Sometimes inside cover, advertisements were printed. The obverse of the note has serial numbers diagonally left to right. ONE RUPEE in bold in the centre. On the left top we see obverse of rupee c...
5 comments
Read more

Bank of Madras 3000 Rupees Specimen Note fetches 1,30,000 pounds at Spink Auctions London

  A Spectacular Auction Evening: Bank of Madras Specimens at Spink Auctions (London) 23 September 2025 Spink’s London “World Banknotes” auction (Auction 25009) drew keen interest from collectors and institutional bidders alike. Among the star lots were specimen banknotes of the Bank of Madras , one of the three Presidency Banks of British India, whose survival in specimen form is exceedingly rare. These notes—pattern designs not meant for general circulation—serve as prototypes, presentation pieces, or archives. Their extreme rarity, historical significance, and aesthetic appeal make them prized items in high-end numismatics. The auction of these notes sets a world record for presidency banknotes of India. The 3000 Rupees Specimen note of Bank of Madras has become the most expensive note sold ever out of all Indian banknotes in any auction worldwide.  The Bank of Madras Specimen Lots                          ...
Post a Comment
Read more