10 rupees 1946-47
About This Note
This is a VF-graded 10 Rupees banknote from the Hyderabad State during the final years of princely state currency (1946-47), issued under the Rupee Sicca Osmania System. The note displays the characteristic ornate design of Hyderabad currency with the state's coat of arms featuring a crown and crescent moon symbol, elaborate gold and brown decorative borders, and prominent pink-magenta central area. While showing natural aging consistent with its nearly 80-year history—including foxing, staining, and brittleness—the note retains strong visual appeal with well-defined security features and legible inscriptions in multiple scripts.
Common. While Hyderabad State currency is somewhat removed from mainstream Indian numismatics and these 1946-47 issues represent the final period of state coinage before integration into India, the 10 Rupees denomination was a standard circulation note produced in adequate quantities for the state's economy. The Pick catalog listing (P-S274e) indicates this is a recognized and catalogued variety, suggesting reasonable availability among specialized dealers. The VF condition grade, while desirable, is not exceptionally scarce for this issue. Hyderabad State notes appear periodically in numismatic markets and do not command premium pricing typical of rare or limited-issue banknotes.
This note represents a transitional period in Indian numismatic history, issued just months before Indian independence (August 1947) and the subsequent integration of Hyderabad State into the Indian Union. The Hyderabad State, ruled by the Nizam, maintained its own currency system until 1948, making these final-year issues historically significant. The multilingual inscriptions in Urdu, Kannada, and Devanagari script reflect Hyderabad's diverse cultural composition and the state's independent monetary authority during this critical historical juncture.
The obverse (front) features an elaborate symmetrical design centered on a large pink-magenta rectangle with a blue-purple banner across the top, creating a focal point for the denomination and textual elements. The Hyderabad State coat of arms—prominently displaying a crown surmounting a crescent moon—appears on the left side, symbolizing the Nizam's authority and Islamic heritage. The design is framed by ornate gold and tan decorative borders with fine geometric and floral motifs. Multiple denomination markers ('10') in Arabic numerals appear on both lateral margins for easy recognition when notes are fanned. The reverse presents a more geometric composition with a large central '10' enclosed within an elaborate cartouche, surrounded by repeating shell or fan-like patterns that form an ornamental border frame. Throughout both sides, fine line cross-hatching and intricate background patterns serve as security elements. The multilingual inscriptions in Urdu, Kannada, and Devanagari scripts underscore the cosmopolitan nature of Hyderabad State during this period.
FRONT SIDE: Serial Number: 'IP 592640' (appears twice, left and right margins); Denomination markers: '10' (repeated on left and right margins); Urdu inscription: 'دس روپیہ اسلام آباد' (Dus Rupiyah Islamabad - Ten Rupees Islamabad); Kannada text: 'ಹೈದರಾಬಾದ್' (Hyderabad); Mixed script regional denomination: '०.५ रू' (Rupees denomination marker); Urdu: 'دس' (Dus - Ten). BACK SIDE: Large central denomination: '10' (within decorative cartouche); Corner denomination markers: '20' (bottom left and right corners); Devanagari script: 'वॉ' (regional script denomination marker). Note: The corner markers showing '20' appear to be design elements or potential printing varieties requiring further verification.
This note was produced using intaglio (engraved) printing, evidenced by the fine line work, cross-hatching patterns, and intricate security design elements visible throughout both sides. The clarity of the coat of arms, the precise denomination markers, and the detailed border ornamentation are characteristic of intaglio printing techniques employed by security printers of the era. The Hyderabad State notes of this period were typically printed by Indian security printing establishments authorized to produce currency for the princely states. The complex background patterns, repeating geometric designs, and fine-line security features indicate the use of multiple printing plates with careful registration.
This specimen is identified as variety 'e' within the Pick S274 classification for the Hyderabad 10 Rupees 1946-47 issue (P-S274e), indicating specific distinguishing characteristics within the series. The serial number 'IP 592640' with the 'IP' prefix represents one known serial letter variety. The variety designation suggests there are multiple versions of this denomination within the 1946-47 printing period, likely differentiated by signature variations, serial number prefixes, or subtle design modifications. Further research into the complete catalog of Hyderabad State 10 Rupees varieties would be needed to determine whether the 'e' designation specifically relates to the signature of officials, date variations within the year, or other production characteristics.
