Britannia Issue of Bank of Bengal

by

Nilaish
IBNS Member

"It is interesting to note that first coloured notes in India were issued in early 1857 by William Erskine at Sauger, contained representation of Bengal Presidency." 

Introduction 
The last commerce issue of Bank of Bengal notes were issued till 1856 [see below]. In early 1857, Major William Erskine issued first coloured series called, Britannia issues.

Last Commerce issue, 10 Company's Rupees, dated 1 Sept 1856. 

Image Courtesy: Ram Kumar. 

In my book, "From Rupees to Paper Promise" on page no. 92, Britannia series is explained. As per Bank of England Museum the vigentte, Britannia was commissioned from a painter called, Daniel Maclise. It depicts her as a Saxon Princess in a Pre-Raphaellite style. This vignette appeared on all currency notes of Bank of England since 1855. The design information of Britannia can be found at Bank of England Musuem located at Threadneedle Street, Bank Station, London. 

It was the Romans who, in recording their invasion and colonization of the mysterious island (which they called Britannia) lying beyond Oceanus, a country which they believed full of silver, first portrayed Britannia on their coins. Much later Britannia was to become a fitting symbol to grace the reverse of the copper coins of King Charles II when, in direct allusion to the then war with the Dutch, her image symbolized her sovereignty of the seas. Universally recognized as the personification of Britain, she has graced the coins of every British monarch since. 

10 Rupees, Britannia issue, 31st Aug 1857. 

Features: Britannia in the centre sitting on Lion, on her left and right female personifications. On her feet a poor is begging around fruits, to her left six ships and rhinoceros with fauna. To her right Tomb of Shershah Suri (On page 92, by mistake it is mentioned as 'temple'), elephant with palm trees.

Notes & References:

Razack, R., Jhunjhunwalla, K. (2012) 'The revised standard reference guide to Indian Paper Money, currencies & coins, Mumbai. 

Nilaish, (2015) 'From Rupees to Paper Promise', Self Publication, Khagaria, Bihar, page 92: correction: ...Temple at Sasaram is corrected to Tomb of Shershah.