King George V Banknotes

The reign of King George V marked the beginning of portrait banknotes in India, transitioning from uniface designs to those bearing the monarch’s image. Issued by the Government of India between the 1910s and 1930s, these banknotes represented a foundational stage in the development of India's colonial paper currency.

Denominations issued under King George V included 1, 2½, 5, 10, 50, 100, 1000, and 10000 Rupees, with the One Rupee and Two and a Half Rupees first appearing in 1917. Notes were initially printed in England and later produced at the India Security Press in Nasik. A number of signatories served during this period, including M.M.S. Gubbay, A.C. McWatters, H. Denning, J.B. Taylor, and J.W. Kelly.

The 1 and 2½ Rupee notes were initially issued with prefixes corresponding to regional circles: A = Cawnpore, B = Bombay, C = Calcutta, K = Karachi, L = Lahore, M = Madras, and R = Rangoon. In later years, the 1 Rupee note was universalized, while the 5 and 10 Rupee portrait notes were universalized from the outset, issued without any specific circle designation. For higher denominations such as 50, 100, 1000, and 10000 Rupees, the issuing circle was printed in full on the note, identifying offices like Bombay, Calcutta, Cawnpore, Karachi, Lahore, Madras, and Rangoon.

Under the India and Burma (Burma Monetary Arrangements) Order, 1937, as a preliminary measure to authorize Indian notes for circulation in Burma, 5, 10, and 100 Rupee notes featuring King George V were overprinted with the text “LEGAL TENDER IN BURMA ONLY.” Notably, while 1,000 Rupee notes are sometimes seen with similar markings, these are widely regarded as contemporary forgeries rather than official issues. For a deeper look at these overprints, read our article on King George V Burma Banknotes →

The reign of King George V marked the beginning of portrait banknotes in India, transitioning from uniface designs to those bearing the monarch’s image. Issued by the Government of India between the 1910s and 1930s, these banknotes represented a foundational stage in the development of India's colonial paper currency.

Issued by the Government of India during the 1910s to 1930s, King George V banknotes covered a wide range of denominations — from the modest 1 Rupee note to higher values like 10, 50, and 100 Rupees. Notable features include elaborate portrait frames, colorful underprints (red, green, blue), signature varieties, and regional overprints for use in Burma or during wartime.

King George V banknotes remain highly collectible today, valued for their historical importance, signature varieties, issuance circles, and role in India's pre-independence financial system.

The Portrait Banknotes Under King George V

Discover our curated selection of iconic King George V portrait banknotes issued by the Government of India between the 1910s and 1930s. This collection includes a wide range of denominations, signature varieties, and notable issues such as Burma overprints. Each note is a unique artifact of British India’s evolving currency system. New items are added regularly, so check back often to explore more.

Our King George V Banknote Collection

British India Banknotes

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

British Burma Banknotes

Pick A8d – British Burma KGV 100 Rupees Cut Note with Japanese Chop Mark
Grade: Cut Note • Price: $500

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.

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🔗 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 India Banknotes
Discover the earliest official paper money of colonial India, including both uniface and portrait notes issued before independence.

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Explore notes featuring King George VI, issued in the late colonial and transitional years leading up to India’s independence.

🔹 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.

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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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