British India 10 Rupees JB Taylor 1938 Note

This is a vintage 10 Rupees banknote from the Reserve Bank of India issued during the British colonial period, featuring King George VI.

Obverse Details

The note prominently displays a portrait of King George VI with a crown in an oval frame on the right side.

The denomination “TEN RUPEES” is printed boldly in the center, with the promise text: “I promise to pay the bearer the sum of TEN RUPEES” above it.

The note is signed by J.B. Taylor, who served as the RBI Governor during this era (1937-1943), confirming its issuance years.

The serial number (G/13 454651) is displayed in red ink in the top right corner, with series information next to it.

In the background, you can see agricultural imagery featuring palm trees and fields, representing India’s agrarian economy.

The intricate border and corner frames reflect classic British-Indian design elements.

Reverse Details

The reverse side is dominated by a detailed vignette showing two royal elephants with riders, flanking the RBI seal and the denomination panel.

The denomination “TEN RUPEES” is written at the bottom in English.

At the left, the value of the note is stated in several Indian languages (Hindi, Bengali, Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, Gujarati, Urdu, etc.), signifying the linguistic diversity of India.

The note’s elaborate frame and ornate patterns are typical of pre-independence currency designs.

Historical Significance

These notes were among the earliest issues of the Reserve Bank of India, circulated when India was still under British rule.

They are sought-after collectibles in numismatics due to their historical context, design, and scarcity, especially when in better condition and rare series/signature combinations.

Key Features Table