1 rupee 1981
Market Prices
4 salesAbout This Note
This is a Pakistan 1 Rupee banknote from 1981 (Pick P-25) in Uncirculated condition, featuring an elegant Islamic geometric design palette dominated by brown, pink, blue, and cream tones. The obverse displays the Arms of Pakistan within ornate geometric borders, while the reverse showcases the Tomb of Allama Mohammed Iqbal with characteristic scalloped framing and diamond pattern work. This note is notable for lacking the Urdu text line at the bottom of the reverse, distinguishing it from the later P-26 and P-27 variants.
Common. This is a regular issue note from 1981 with a standard print run. eBay market data shows UNC examples selling for under $1 historically (as low as $0.74 in 2014), and even graded PMG 66 examples trading between $13-14.50, which is a modest price range consistent with common circulation issues. The existence of catalogued variants (P-26, P-27) indicates substantial production of this base design.
Issued in 1981 by the Government of Pakistan, this banknote reflects the nation's commitment to showcasing its Islamic heritage and intellectual legacy through numismatic design. The prominent placement of the Tomb of Allama Mohammed Iqbal on the reverse honors one of Pakistan's most revered poets and philosophers, while the crescent moon and star symbolism on the obverse reinforces Islamic motifs central to Pakistani national identity during the post-Partition era.
The obverse features the Arms of Pakistan prominently positioned on the right side, enclosed within a circular frame topped by an Islamic dome structure. A crescent moon with a star symbol appears on the right, while an eight-pointed star in a scalloped frame is positioned on the left, representing Islamic geometric symbolism. The reverse depicts the Tomb of Allama Mohammed Iqbal, a solid stone mausoleum with a domed roof structure and entrance portico rendered in brown tones. Both sides are framed with intricate Islamic geometric border patterns and floral ornaments in the characteristic style of Pakistani currency design from this period. The color palette employs multiple printing passes to achieve the dull brown base with multicolor underprint effects.
Front: 'حکومت پاکستان' (Government of Pakistan in Urdu), denomination '1' in Arabic numerals, serial number '32 9415605'. Back: 'GOVERNMENT OF PAKISTAN' (English), 'ONE RUPEE' (English). Note: The distinguishing feature of P-25 is the absence of an Urdu text line at the bottom of the reverse, present on successor varieties P-26 and P-27.
Intaglio printing (engraved) combined with multicolor offset lithography, a standard technique for Pakistani banknotes of this era. The intricate geometric patterns, fine line work, and the multicolor underprint visible in the design suggest the use of specialized security printing techniques. The note was likely produced by the Pakistan Security Printing Corporation or similar authorized government security printer.
This note is catalogued as P-25, specifically the variant without Urdu text line on the bottom of the reverse. PMG records indicate one primary variant for this Pick number. The serial number observed '32 9415605' represents standard issue numbering with no overprints, prefixes, or special markings that would indicate a distinct sub-variety. The watermark features the Arms of Pakistan, as standard for this issue.
