Set Description:
The Government of India notes, issued first in 1861, were uniface, simple, unsophisticated and forgery-prone. They remained largely unchanged for more than half a century. There was a proposal to change the design and form of the notes to make them more convenient to handle and to increase the safeguards against forgery. The proposal to issue new design pictorial notes was approved in 1914. However,with the outbreak of World War I, the idea was dropped. Instead, to economize on the use of silver, two new small denomination notes bearing the portrait of King George V were introduced in 1917. Significant amongst these was the One Rupee note which was issued for the first time as promissory note. Gradually, pictorial notes were issued for all denominations and new denominations were gradually introduced up to 1932.The King was depicted wearing the imperial Crown and the robes of Star of India.The watermark was inspired from the robe and the motto of Star of India-"Heavens Light Our Guide". The early notes bear Imperial designs such as the King's monogram and the Star of India.However,on the notes of 1000 rupees an agrarian scene was depicted for the first time in 1931. These notes introduced multi-coloured rainbow tints and micro prints as additional security features.
On 14 April 1928,India own security printing press was inaugurated at Nasik.Henceforth the notes were designed and printed in india.With the view of reducing the cost of printing and distribution,Five and Ten Rupees notes of an entirely new design were issued in 1933.They were printed on thinner paper and were smaller in size in comparison to the notes issued earlier.Within a year,the old thick paper was re-introduced for the notes,but the size remained the same.The notes of all denominations, having the portrait of King George V were withdrawn from circulation with effect from the end of June 1941.
{The contents of the above information was Copied from India Paper Money-2012 with the permission of its Author Sir Mr.Rezwan Razack.}
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