1 rupee 1915

Uncommon. While interim notes from German East Africa are scarce compared to standard currency issues, the 1915 1 Rupee (Pick 11b) was produced in modest quantities during a transitional period. The series F designation noted by the collector and the specific serial number suggest this is one of a documented series. German colonial notes from this period survive in variable numbers, with this particular denomination and series being less commonly encountered than larger denominations. VF condition examples are relatively scarce, as most circulated notes show heavier wear. However, the note is not 'rare' in the sense of extremely limited production—it represents a known interim issue with recoverable examples in the collector market.

Issued by the Deutsch-Ostafrikanische Bank on November 1, 1915, this interim banknote was produced during the final year of German East African colonial administration, just months before the territory's transfer to British control following Germany's defeat in World War I. The note's proclamation of government backing by the 'Kaiserliches Gouvernement' and the Imperial Eagle symbolism underscore Germany's imperial authority in the region at a moment when that authority was already beginning to crumble. The bilingual presentation in German and Swahili reflects the administrative and commercial realities of the protectorate, where German settlers and officials conducted business with African populations.

The obverse features a formal layout centered on denomination and issuer information, flanked by ornate German Imperial Eagle coat of arms with shield, crown, and heraldic detail in the upper left. Decorative geometric border pattern with cross motifs frames the central text field. The note employs a two-color printing scheme (tan/beige with dark gray/black text and graphics) characteristic of early 20th-century security printing. The reverse side maintains the decorative borders and features a prominent rectangular security frame containing the government backing declaration in both German and Swahili. Serial number 66720 appears in multiple locations on both sides. The letter 'F' appears decoratively twice on the reverse, likely indicating the series designation noted in collector records. No portraits or named landmarks are depicted; instead, the design relies on heraldic symbolism and multilingual legal text as security features.

FRONT SIDE: 'Interims-Banknote' (Interim Banknote) | 'Die Deutsch-Ostafrikanische Bank zahlt bei ihren Kassen im D.O.A. Schutzgebiet dem Einlieferer dieser Banknote ohne Legitimationsprüfung' (The German East African Bank pays at its counters in the D.O.A. protectorate to the deliverer of this banknote without verification of legitimacy) | 'Eine Rupie' (One Rupee) | 'Daressalam/Tabora' (cities) | '1. November 1915' (November 1st, 1915) | 'Kraft besonderer Ermächtigung' (By special authorization) | 'Deutsch-Ostafrikanische Bank, Zweigniederlassung Daressalam' (German East African Bank, Daressalam Branch) | 'In Vollmacht: gez.: A. Frühling' (By power of attorney: signed A. Frühling) | Serial: 66720 | BACK SIDE: 'Der Gegenwert dieser Banknote ist bei dem Kaiserlichen Gouvernement von Deutsch-Ostafrika voll hinterlegt.' (The value of this banknote is fully deposited with the Imperial Government of German East Africa) | Swahili equivalent: 'Kadri ya noti hii imewekwa sahihi katika Kaiserlisches Gouvernement von Deutsch-Ostafrika' | '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 falsifies banknotes or obtains and puts into circulation counterfeit or falsified ones shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than 2 years) | 'DEUTSCH-OSTAFRIKANISCHE ZEITUNG DARESSALAM' (German East African Newspaper Daressalam) | Serial numbers: 66720 (appears twice on reverse)

Letterpress and typography with hand-signature authorization. The visual characteristics—sharp text registration, linear border patterns, and the presence of handwritten signatures (A. Frühling)—are consistent with early 20th-century letterpress production. While the catalog reference mistakenly attributes a later British East African note to Thomas de la Rue, this 1915 German interim issue was likely produced by a German printing house or under German supervision in German East Africa itself, given the emergency wartime context of interim currency production.

Series F, as noted in collector records and confirmed by the 'F' markings on the reverse. Serial number 66720 is recorded on this example. The note bears the singular signature of A. Frühling (likely a bank official or authorized signatory for the Daressalam branch). The specific date of issue is November 1, 1915, which may distinguish it from other interim printings within the same series. Collectors should note that series designation (A through F or beyond) may vary among surviving examples, and signature variations are possible depending on which official authorized individual batches of interim notes.