1 rupee 1940

Common. The eBay price data demonstrates consistent market availability with regular sales across multiple condition grades spanning over a decade. UNC examples, while commanding higher prices than circulated grades ($44-$75 range historically, with 2016 catalogue value of $75 for UNC), are not uncommon in the marketplace. The note appears regularly at auction with typical bid volumes (15-25 bids), indicating steady collector demand without scarcity premiums. Standard print runs for this Government of India 1 rupee denomination from 1940 were substantial, and the Pick P-25d variety does not represent a short-lived or recalled issue.

This 1940 banknote was issued during the final years of British colonial rule in India, under the authority of the Government of India, featuring the reigning British monarch King George VI. The prominent use of multiple Indian regional languages on the reverse reflects the growing recognition of India's linguistic diversity and emerging national identity during the independence movement. The ornate 'KG' crown emblem and formal government inscriptions emphasize the transitional period between imperial currency design and India's post-independence monetary sovereignty.

The obverse features a prominent profile portrait of King George VI wearing a crown, displayed within an ornate circular medallion positioned on the right side of the note. The background incorporates an elaborate system of decorative borders with intricate geometric and floral patterns rendered in green, gray, and black tones. The central area contains a large blank oval space which likely served as the watermark region or intended vignette area. Text elements are arranged in ornamental cartouches with formal typography. The reverse displays a sophisticated circular seal or emblem dated 1940 on the left side, incorporating detailed architectural and floral motifs with the legend 'ONE RUPEE INDIA 1940'. A blank decorative cartouche on the right side echoes the design balance of the obverse. The back employs purple/violet and green accent colors with the multilingual inscriptions arranged vertically in the center, representing the major language families of India (Indo-Aryan, Dravidian, and others).

FRONT SIDE: 'GOVERNMENT OF INDIA' (top center), 'ONE RUPEE' (center denomination), 'FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA' (formal authorization text), 'SECRETARY FINANCE DEPARTMENT' (issuing authority), Serial Number: 6D 5946158, Suffix: A. BACK SIDE: 'GOVERNMENT OF INDIA' (top), 'ONE RUPEE INDIA 1940' (circular ornamental seal), 'KG' (King George VI initials with crown emblem), 'ONE RUPEE' (English denomination). MULTILINGUAL INSCRIPTIONS: Bengali - এক টাকা (Ek taka / One rupee), Hindi - एक रुपया (Ek rupya / One rupee), Kannada - ಒಂದು ರೂಪಾಯಿ (Ondu rupaayi / One rupee), Telugu - ఒక రూపాయి (Oka rupaayi / One rupee), Tamil - ஒரு ரூபாய் (Oru rupai / One rupee).

Intaglio (recess) printing, evidenced by the exceptionally fine line work, geometric patterns, and crisp definition of the ornamental borders and security features observed throughout both sides. The intricate floral and geometric patterns characteristic of security printing from the British Indian currency period are clearly visible. The precise detail in the portrait medallion and decorative seals indicates traditional steel plate engraving and printing methods typical of Government of India currency produced by established security printers of the era, likely the Thomas De La Rue company or similar British security printer contracted for Indian currency production.

This specimen is identified as Pick P-25d, indicated by the serial number prefix 'A' and the specific design characteristics observed (George VI portrait, 1940 date, multilingual reverse). The catalog data indicates this is the standard 1940 issue variety. The serial number 6D 5946158 represents a standard prefix/suffix combination for this issue. No overprints, color variations, or error features are visible in the visual analysis. The note represents the typical design variety from the 1940 Government of India regular issue, with no variants (such as emergency or provisional markings) evident.