1 rupee 1915

common

This interim banknote was issued during World War I when German East Africa faced monetary supply challenges due to wartime disruptions and the territory's isolation from German currency supplies. The note represents emergency currency measures by the Deutsch-Ostafrikanische Bank, the colonial territory's central financial institution, with dual language text (German and Swahili) reflecting the colonial administrative structure. The Imperial Government's backing, prominently stated on the reverse, underscores the authority of Kaiser Wilhelm II's administration over the East African protectorate during this critical period.

This interim banknote features a formal colonial administrative design characteristic of World War I-era emergency currency. The obverse displays the Imperial German eagle coat of arms with crown in a square frame on the left, flanked by large denomination numerals '1' on both sides. The center contains the principal text of the bank's pledge in German Gothic script. An ornamental border with repeating geometric patterns frames the note's perimeter. A handwritten signature in purple/blue ink appears in the lower right, evidencing the manual authorization process required for interim currency. The reverse contains legal text and security warnings in both German and Swahili, with a serial number (52595) and an official rectangular stamp or seal impression in the lower left corner, indicating governmental validation and authentication.

FRONT SIDE: 'Interims-Banknote' (Interim Banknote) | 'Die Deutsch-Ostafrikanische Bank' (The German East Africa Bank) | 'zahlt bei ihren Kassen im D.O.A. Schutzgebiet dem Einlieferer dieser Banknote ohne Legitimationsprüfung' (pays at its offices in the D.O.A. protectorate to the depositor of this banknote without legitimation examination) | 'Eine Rupie' (One Rupee) | 'Daressalam/Tabora' (Dar es Salaam/Tabora - branch offices) | 'Deutsch-Ostafrikanische Bank' (German East Africa Bank) | '1. November 1915' (November 1, 1915) | 'Zweigniederlassung Daressalam' (Branch office Dar es Salaam) | 'Kraft besonderer Ermächtigung' (By special authority) | 'In vollmacht:' (In authority/On behalf of:) | BACK SIDE: '52595' (serial number) | 'Der Gegenwert dieser Banknote ist bei dem Kaiserlichen Gouvernement von Deutsch-Ostafrika voll hinterlegt.' (The equivalent value of this banknote is fully deposited with the Imperial Government of German East Africa.) | 'Kadri ya noti hii imewekwa sahihi katika Kaiserliches Gouvernement von Deutsch-Ostafrika' (Swahili: The security of this note is properly placed at the Imperial Government of German East Africa) | 'Wer Banknoten nachmacht oder verfälscht oder nachgemachte oder verfalschte 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)

Letterpress printing on aged paper stock, characteristic of early 20th-century German banknote production. The ornamental borders and text show the crisp impression typical of high-pressure type-based printing. The handwritten signature element indicates this was a semi-manual authorization process overlaid on the printed base note. The dark brown/black ink on tan/beige paper stock is consistent with period-appropriate inks and paper materials used by German security printers during the World War I era.

This note is identified as Pick P-9Ab, series F2, with serial number 52595. The handwritten signature and specific authorization text ('In vollmacht:') indicates individual official authorization. The November 1, 1915 date and reference to 'Zweigniederlassung Daressalam' (Dar es Salaam branch) are consistent with the cataloged issue. The bilingual German-Swahili reverse is standard for this denomination and represents the standard production variety rather than an overprint or special variation.