British India Banknotes

British India banknotes form the cornerstone of India’s paper money history, issued during the colonial period before independence. These notes reflect the political and economic transitions of the British Raj and showcase evolving security features, watermark technology, and engraving styles.

Issued first by the Government of India and later by the newly established Reserve Bank of India in 1935, the banknotes feature prominent monarchs such as King George V and King George VI. Many notes from this period are uniface, meaning they were printed on only one side, and some include distinctive elements like portrait frames, red or green underprints, and regional overprints for Burma or Pakistan use.

For collectors, British India notes are prized for their historical relevance, design diversity, and rarity — especially notes bearing early signatures, special prefixes, or printing errors. Below is our curated and growing collection of British India banknotes.

The Legacy of British India Currency

Discover our curated selection of British India banknotes, including both uniface and portrait issues from the reigns of King George V and King George VI. This collection features a variety of denominations, signature types, and rare print variations — each a unique artifact of colonial Indian monetary history. New notes are added regularly, so check back often to explore more.

Our British India Banknote Collection

King George V Era

Pick 1g – British India KGV 1 Rupee 1917 Madras Circle
Grade: PMG 53 • Price: $820

Pick 4a – British India KGV 5 Rupees 1925 Denning
Grade: VF • Price: $450

Pick 5a – British India KGV 10 Rupees 1923 McWatters
Grade: Nice VF to XF • Price: $2,300

Pick 6a – British India KGV 10 Rupees 1925 Denning
Grade: PMG 35 • Price: $1,300

King George VI Era

More notes from the reign of King George VI will be added soon.

We’re always updating our collection of British India banknotes. If you’re searching for a particular note — whether by Pick number, year, issuing circle, prefix, or any variety — we’d love to help.

👉 Submit your want list here and we’ll notify you when we find a match.

📬 Looking for a Specific Note?

🔗 Explore More Banknote Series

Continue your journey through India’s currency history with other collectible note series, from British colonial issues to post-independence paper money.

🔹 British Burma Banknotes
Find notes used in Burma during colonial rule, including King George V overprints, RBI-issued peacock notes, and King George VI overprints.

🔹 King George VI Pakistan Banknotes
View British India notes lithographed with “Government of Pakistan” text — issued shortly after the 1947 partition for use in Pakistan.

🔹 Dominion of India Banknotes
Browse post-independence, pre-republic currency that retained the King’s portrait but marked the shift toward sovereignty.

🔹 Republic India Banknotes
See the Ashoka Pillar and Mahatma Gandhi series that define India’s official post-republic paper money.

🔹 Fancy Serial Number Banknotes
Discover banknotes with collectible serial patterns like solid numbers, ladders, low numbers, million number, and more.

🔹 Other Rare Indian Banknotes
Uncover unique issues from French India, Portuguese India, Gulf circulation, and Princely States that fall outside standard categories.

Whether you're a seasoned collector or just starting out, these curated categories offer a rich view into the historical, political, and artistic evolution of Indian currency notes.

🛒 Browse All Banknotes - View our complete collection of Indian banknotes across all regions and eras.
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