10 Rupees

Hyderabad, 10 rupees, 1st issue, unsigned (sea salvage), serial no.: AI 61229, Fasli, 1 Khurdad 1331, J&R 7.8.5. Very rare. During the First World War, S.S. Egypt collided with a cargo steamer in thick fog north-west of France in May 1922.The Ship sank to a depth of 400 feet. It had in its cargo Gold valued at One Million Pounds. Lure of this bullion made treasure hunters attempt salvage operations. There were many instances of bounty hunters who attempted to salvage this gold and failed. One such group of salvage or treasure hunters formed a Company called 'SORIMA'. They hired a cargo ship called 'Artiglio' with the sole purpose of salvaging the One Million Pound worth of Gold in SS Egypt. In june 1932, a team of divers on board the cargo ship 'Artiglio', were able to salvage the gold and along with it the unsigned notes of Hyderabad in denominations of 5, 10 & 100. There were a total of 1,65,000 notes of which after protracted negotiations through his advocates with 'Sorima', the Nawab of Hyderabad bought back 1,28,000 notes in July 1939.These bank notes were burnt in London. The remaining notes are either with collectors or are missing under the sea. These notes were printed by Waterlow & Sons.