By Nilaish,
Member IBNS
Bank of Bombay last issue: signatures of Secretary:
Indian paper money has a vast history with full of gaps and surprises. I am a collector of Indian Paper Money and World banknotes since 1998 and specializing in Indian paper money issued before 1861. When browsing through my collection, I found a very interesting banknote which highlights a remarkable breakthrough in the Indian currency issue. The new find is, BANK OF BOMBAY 10 Rupees note, dated 1 November 1860, signed by James Blair, Secretary & Treasurer (see Bagachi, pg. no. 210).
Bank of Bombay notes were issued without prefix with printed serial numbers till ca 1857. This example has serial number with 'A' prefix. It is pleasant to note from the work of Bagachi, that in the early 1860, Bank of Bombay issued, 100,000 ten rupees notes, later it begins with to mint notes with 'A' prefix. This issue was a result to fight the panic due to many stolen notes of Bank of Bombay from the Oriental Bank in February 1851.
Sooner, Paper Currency Act of 1861 was passed therefore, presidency and private banks were not allowed to issue currency notes after this date (1860). The issue of currency notes was a subject of Government of India since then during British rule.
References:
Bagachi, A.K., ''The Evolution of the State Bank of India: The Roots 1806-1876'', Vol. 1, 1987, Oxford University Press, pp. 210-360.
Razack, R.; Jhunjhunwalla, K., ''The revised standard reference guide to Indian paper money'', Currencies & Coins, 2012, First edition.
Member IBNS
Bank of Bombay last issue: signatures of Secretary:
Indian paper money has a vast history with full of gaps and surprises. I am a collector of Indian Paper Money and World banknotes since 1998 and specializing in Indian paper money issued before 1861. When browsing through my collection, I found a very interesting banknote which highlights a remarkable breakthrough in the Indian currency issue. The new find is, BANK OF BOMBAY 10 Rupees note, dated 1 November 1860, signed by James Blair, Secretary & Treasurer (see Bagachi, pg. no. 210).
Bank of Bombay, 10 Rupees, Uniface, 1 Nov. 1860, Last issue, Serial no. A14518,
signed by James Blair, Secretary & Treasurer (1860-1865).
Bank of Bombay, 10 Rupees, 20 March 1855, serial no. 65146,
signed by John Stuart, Secretary & Treasurer (1842-1860). Image Courtesy: Todywalla Auctions.
Bank of Bombay notes were issued without prefix with printed serial numbers till ca 1857. This example has serial number with 'A' prefix. It is pleasant to note from the work of Bagachi, that in the early 1860, Bank of Bombay issued, 100,000 ten rupees notes, later it begins with to mint notes with 'A' prefix. This issue was a result to fight the panic due to many stolen notes of Bank of Bombay from the Oriental Bank in February 1851.
Sooner, Paper Currency Act of 1861 was passed therefore, presidency and private banks were not allowed to issue currency notes after this date (1860). The issue of currency notes was a subject of Government of India since then during British rule.
References:
Bagachi, A.K., ''The Evolution of the State Bank of India: The Roots 1806-1876'', Vol. 1, 1987, Oxford University Press, pp. 210-360.
Razack, R.; Jhunjhunwalla, K., ''The revised standard reference guide to Indian paper money'', Currencies & Coins, 2012, First edition.
