1 rupee 1915
“serie S”
About This Note
This is an exceptional example of a 1 Rupee interim banknote from the Deutsch-Ostafrikanische Bank, dated 1 November 1915, graded AU with series S designation. The note features the German Imperial eagle coat of arms and displays the characteristic tan patina and foxing consistent with authentic early 20th-century paper currency, with a handwritten authorization signature in blue/purple ink. As an interim note issued during World War I in Germany's East African colonial territory, this piece represents a fascinating numismatic intersection of German imperial power, colonial administration, and wartime currency emergency measures.
Common. While German East African currency is collectible and the 1915 interim series has historical significance, the 1 Rupee denomination in AU condition with series S is not scarce. The Deutsch-Ostafrikanische Bank issued multiple series of these interim notes in quantity sufficient to meet colonial monetary needs during 1915-1918. Series S represents one of several series produced. AU specimens appear regularly in the numismatic market at moderate collector prices, typically in the $30-75 range depending on signature variety and serial number appeal.
This banknote was issued during World War I when German East Africa was isolated from the metropole and required emergency currency solutions. The note's status as an 'Interlus-Banknote' (interim banknote) reflects the desperate financial conditions in the colony as Allied forces threatened German colonial holdings. The Imperial Government backing statement and the Dar es Salaam/Tabora branch offices indicate this was part of the Deutsch-Ostafrikanische Bank's final monetary authority in the territory before Germany's colonial collapse in 1918.
The obverse features a restrained, administrative design centered on the Imperial German coat of arms—the crowned double-headed eagle with ornamentation—positioned on the left side as a security element and symbol of state authority. The central design area contains the denomination and issuer information in dignified serif typography typical of Edwardian-era German banking. The reverse presents a more utilitarian layout with the serial number 860:S:9 positioned at top and bottom, flanking central legal text in German and Swahili addressing currency backing and counterfeiting penalties. A newspaper stamp from the Deutsch-Ostafrikanische Zeitung appears in the lower left as an authentication mark. The overall aesthetic reflects the formal, bureaucratic character of imperial German colonial administration rather than decorative embellishment, emphasizing the note's status as an emergency financial instrument. The geometric decorative border on the obverse provides the design's primary ornamental element.
FRONT SIDE: 'Interlus-Banknote' (Interim Banknote) / 'Die Deutsch-Ostafrikanische Bank' (The German East African Bank) / 'zählt bei ihren Kassen im D. O. A. Schutzgebiet dem Einlieferer dieser Banknote ohne Legitimationsprüfung' (counts at its cashiers in the D. O. A. protectorate to the depositor of this banknote without verification of legitimacy) / Denomination: '1 Eine Rupie' (One Rupee) / 'Daressalam/Tabora' (Dar es Salaam/Tabora - branch offices) / '1. November 1915.' (1st November 1915) / 'Deutsch-Ostafrikanische Bank' (German East African Bank) / 'Zweigniederlassung Daressalam' (Branch Office Dar es Salaam) / 'In Vollmacht:' (By Power of Attorney:) / 'Kraft besonderer Ermächtigung.' (By special authorization) BACK SIDE: Serial number '860:9' with prefix 'S' (top and bottom) / '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 inscription regarding government backing / '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 will be punished with imprisonment for not less than 2 years) / 'DEUTSCH-OSTAFRIKANISCHE ZEITUNG DARESSALAM' (German East African Newspaper, Dar es Salaam - authenticating stamp).
Letterpress printing on laid paper stock, typical of early 20th-century European banknote production. The crisp impression of text and the Imperial coat of arms, combined with the geometric border pattern, are characteristic of high-quality letterpress work. The handwritten authorization signature was added post-printing, a common practice for interim notes requiring individual authorization. The printer for this specific series is consistent with the Deutsch-Ostafrikanische Bank's contracted German security printers, though specific printer attribution would require additional archival documentation.
This note is identified as Pick 9Ab, indicating the 'b' variety classification (likely distinguishing it from variety 'a' by signature, date, or branch designation). The series designation 'S' visible on both obverse and reverse is a critical variety marker—different series letters (A through S or similar) were issued, each potentially commanding different collector premiums. The signature variety should be documented by comparing the handwritten 'In Vollmacht' signature to known authorized signatories for the Dar es Salaam branch. Serial number 860:9 with S prefix is standard for this issue; sequential range tracking may indicate print run size and rarity within the series.
