1 rupee 1915
About This Note
This is a 1 Rupee interim banknote issued by the Deutsch-Ostafrikanische Bank on November 1, 1915, during the final year of German colonial rule in East Africa. The note displays the Imperial German Reichsadler (double-headed eagle) coat of arms and features formal Germanic typography in light blue-gray and black, with an ornamental asterisk-pattern border. In AU condition, the note shows significant age-related foxing, yellowing, and creasing consistent with over a century of storage, yet maintains clear legibility of all inscriptions and design elements.
Common. This denomination from a major issuer in a relatively stable series (Pick-6) would have had substantial print runs to serve everyday commercial and administrative needs in German East Africa in 1915. The survival in AU condition reflects proper storage rather than exceptional rarity. No evidence of limited production, recall, or short-lived issuance exists for this Pick number. The denomination, date, and issuer combination are standard catalog entries, not specialized varieties commanding premium pricing.
Issued during World War I when German East Africa faced increasing military pressure from Allied forces, this interim banknote represents the desperate financial measures of a colonial administration attempting to maintain monetary circulation in a shrinking territory. The designation 'Interims-Banknote' reflects the provisional nature of currency issuance in the final years before the German surrender of the protectorate in 1918. The inclusion of dual administrative seats (Dar-es-Salaam and Tabora) underscores the geographic fragmentation of German control during this period.
The obverse features a formal, symmetrical layout centered on the Imperial German Reichsadler (double-headed eagle with crown and heraldic shield), positioned on the left side of the note. The denomination '1' appears in large numerals at both left and right margins. A decorative border composed of repeating asterisk or snowflake motifs frames the central area, creating an ornamental rectangular enclosure typical of early 20th-century Germanic design. The note is printed in light blue-gray and black on a cream-colored paper stock. Text identifying the issuer ('Deutsch-Ostafrikanische Bank'), date ('1. November 1915'), and dual administrative seats appears in the center and lower portions. Two signature lines indicate authorization ('Gebucht von' and 'In Vollmacht'). The accompanying security or reference document printed on lighter paper provides authentication text and legal warnings in German, with stamps identifying the Deutsch-Ostafrikanische Zeitung of Dar-es-Salaam.
FRONT SIDE: 'Interims-Banknote' (Interim Banknote) — 'Die Deutsch-Ostafrikanische Bank zahlt bei ihren Kassen im D. O. A. Schutzgebiet dem Einlieferer dieser Banknote ohne Legitamationsprüfung' (The German East African Bank pays at its counters in the D. O. A. protected territory to the bearer of this banknote without examination of legitimation) — 'Eine Rupie' (One Rupee) — 'Daressalam/Tabora' (Dar-es-Salaam/Tabora) — '1. November 1915' (1 November 1915) — 'Deutsch-Ostafrikanische Bank' (German East African Bank) — 'Zweigniederlassung Daressalam' (Daressalam Branch) — 'Gebucht von:' (Booked by:) — 'In Vollmacht:' (By proxy:). SECURITY/REFERENCE DOCUMENT: '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) — '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 procures counterfeit or forged notes and puts them into circulation shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than 2 years) — 'DEUTSCH-OSTAFRIKANISCHE ZEITUNG' (German East African Newspaper) — 'DAR-ES-SALAM' (Dar-es-Salaam).
The note appears to have been produced using traditional letterpress printing, characteristic of German banknote production in the 1915 period. The sharp registration of the ornamental border pattern, clear text impression, and the formal geometric design suggest skilled execution on dedicated banknote printing presses. The security document was likely printed separately using offset or letterpress on lighter stock. The external catalog reference mentions Thomas de la Rue, London, though this refers to higher denominations (500 Rupees) from the 1912 and 1916 series; the 1 Rupee 1915 may have been produced by the Deutsch-Ostafrikanische Bank's own printing resources or a different contractor given wartime constraints.
The specific variety is identified as the 1 Rupee, 1 November 1915, issued from Daressalam/Tabora branches of the Deutsch-Ostafrikanische Bank (Pick-6). The note bears two authorized signatures in the lower portion ('Gebucht von' and 'In Vollmacht' lines), which may vary between individual specimens. The reference number 77598 appears on the accompanying security document, likely a batch or archive reference rather than a serial number. Serial numbers or other collector-distinguishing marks on the note itself are not clearly detailed in the visual analysis, so no specific serial-based variety can be confirmed from the provided images.
