5 Rupees

Government of India, 5 Rupees, uniface, dated 23 October 1913, Bombay Circle, serial no. ZB/54 73914, signed by H. F. Howard. J&R 2A.1.4B.3, Pick A5a. Graded PMG 20 Very Fine (cert 2585701-017). The wartime-era uniface five: GOVERNMENT OF INDIA in an ornate scalloped panel at the head, the serial repeated three times (twice in red rosettes at the upper corners and again at the lower left), the engraved promise 'Promise to pay the Bearer on demand at any Office of Issue the sum of Rupees' across the face, a large red '5' and FIVE at centre flanked by the denomination in eight vernacular script panels, the value in ornamental vertical side panels, the date printed twice as 23 OCTOBER 1913, and the circle initial 'B' for Bombay beneath each date; FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA above the signature of H. F. Howard as Controller of Currency. The reverse is plain, as issued, and carries contemporary bank endorsement handstamps in black at the right - the kind of marking a note picked up as it passed through treasury and bank hands. J&R records the prefixes CB, ZA and ZB for this Bombay variety, and the ZB/54 prefix on this note places it squarely in that block. Very Fine: a complete, honest example with even toning and body, the usual wrinkling and light soiling of a circulated uniface note, and no repairs.