Related imageNEW DELHI, Nov 30: Its value has eroded over its lifetime of a century. Today, a rupee can buy very little, may be a toffee. Yet, this sturdy currency has survived two world wars, regularly shedding value till it has practically gone out of use. The British government introduced the one rupee note on November 30, 1917. Currency notes were introduced in India in 1861. Silver coins, including one rupee ones, were in existence for very long, some being traced to Sher Shah Suri’s reign in 1540. 

The one rupee paper currency, issued as a promissory note, was printed in England and depicted a silver coin image of King George V on the left corner. 
The words ‘I promise to pay the bearer the sum of One Rupee on demand at any office of issue’ was printed on it. Later, the promise was removed for this denomination. As people were increasingly melting silver one rupee coins during World War I, the number of coins were reducing from the market. At that time the British government planned to introduce this note, Sushil Kumar Agrawal, CEO of mintageworld.com, an online museum of coins, stamps and currency notes, told IANS. In its 100-year journey, design of One Rupee note was changed 44 times. 

The One Rupee note is the only currency printed by the Government of India and not by the Reserve Bank, and is signed by the Finance Secretary. Though printing of One Rupee note was discontinued in 1994, it was reintroduced during 2015-16 financial year after a gap of 21 years. The reintroduction was more on nostalgic value than actual usage. Asked about the reason, Agrawal said perhaps collectors’ demand for One Rupee note was the reason behind the reprinting. IANS 

Post a Comment

Powered by Blogger.