1 rupee 1915

common. German East African interim banknotes from 1915, while historically significant, were issued in substantial quantities to facilitate commerce in the protectorate during WWI. Pick P-10b represents a standard issue within the Deutsch-Ostafrikanische Bank's interim series. No evidence suggests a limited print run or subsequent recall. AU-graded examples are desirable but not exceptionally scarce in the colonial banknote market. These notes are regularly encountered by collectors of German colonial and East African currency.

This interim banknote represents emergency currency issued during World War I in German East Africa (Deutsch-Ostafrika), when the colony faced disruption to normal financial operations. The German Imperial coat of arms and bilingual German-Swahili inscriptions reflect the colonial administration's authority and the multicultural nature of the territory. The note's status as an 'Interims-Banknote' with backing guaranteed by the Imperial Government indicates a transitional monetary system during a period of economic uncertainty in the German protectorate.

The obverse features a classical interim banknote design typical of early 20th-century German colonial currency. The German Imperial coat of arms—a double-headed eagle bearing the Prussian heraldic shield—occupies the upper left corner, symbolizing sovereign authority. The denomination '1' appears in large numerals on both left and right margins, with 'Eine Rupie' (One Rupee) inscribed centrally in German. The note employs decorative cross-hatch border patterns in dark blue/black ink on tan/beige paper, providing visual security through intricate linework. The reverse contains official text in both German and Swahili, the latter acknowledging the local population, along with standard legal warnings against counterfeiting. A handwritten signature on the obverse and the notation 'In Vollmacht' (By Authority) emphasize the official nature of the issue. The serial number 21058 appears in the margins, and a printer's mark from the Deutsch-Ostafrikanische Zeitung is visible on the reverse.

FRONT: 'Interims-Banknote' (Interim Banknote) / 'Die Deutsch-Ostafrikanische Bank' (The German East African Bank) / '1 Eine Rupie 1' (1 One Rupee 1) / 'zählt bei ihren Kassen im D. O. A. Schutzgebiet dem Einlieferer dieser Banknote ohne Legitiationsprüfung' (counts at its offices in the D. O. A. protection territory to the depositor of this banknote without legitimation verification) / 'Daressalam/Tabora Deutsch-Ostafrikanische Bank Zweigniederlassung Daressalam' (Daressalam/Tabora German East African Bank Branch Daressalam) / '1. November 1915.' (1. November 1915) / 'In Vollmacht:' (By authority) / 'Kraft besonderer Ermächtigung.' (By special authorization). BACK: 'Der Gegenwert dieser Banknote ist bei dem Kaiserlichen Gouvernement von Deutsch-Ostafrika voll hinterlegt.' (The equivalent of this banknote is fully deposited with the Imperial Government of German East Africa) / Swahili equivalent text / 'Wer Banknoten nachmacht oder verfälscht oder nachgemachte oder verfälschte sich verschafft und in Verkehr bringt, wird mit Zuchthaus nicht unter 2 Jahren bestraft' (Whoever counterfeits or forges banknotes or obtains counterfeit or forged ones and puts them into circulation shall be punished with imprisonment for not less than 2 years) / Serial number: '21058' (appears top and bottom).

Letterpress printing on bond paper with intaglio-style engraved elements. The clarity of the fine cross-hatch border patterns and the sharp registration of the German Imperial coat of arms indicate skilled engraving and printing. The handwritten signature was applied post-printing. The printer for this interim issue is not formally attributed to an international security printer (unlike later colonial notes), suggesting local printing facilities in Daressalam or contracted German printers serving the colonial administration.

Pick P-10b specifically denotes the 1 Rupee interim note dated November 1, 1915. This specimen carries serial number 21058. Varieties within this Pick number may include different signatures by authorized bank officers (noted as 'In Vollmacht'—by authority), which are common in interim issues where multiple officials authorized notes during different periods. The presence of both German and Swahili text on the reverse is standard for this issue, reflecting the bilingual nature of colonial administration.