35 Rupees

Asiatic Bank, Madras, 'Star Pagodas 10 / Arcot Rupees 35', serial No. 585, ND (circa 1804). One of the earliest Indian private-bank notes. Obverse headed 'ASIATIC BANK' over a vignette dated 1804 of a seated female figure (Asia/Britannia) with a recumbent tiger; "Promise to pay the Bearer on demand ... Star Pagodas 10 or Arcot Rupees Thirty-Five", Madras, with the denomination in English and vernacular scripts. Reference: J&R 1C.1.1.2. Extremely rare. Provenance: British Museum, reg. no. CIB.13997. British Museum object C_CIB-13997.