10 rupias 1945

Common. Portuguese India banknotes of this denomination and period are readily available in the numismatic market. The 1945 10 Rupias note had a substantial print run, as evidenced by the survival of multiple examples in various conditions. While historically significant as a colonial-era note from a now-defunct territory, it does not command premium prices typical of rare notes. Examples in VF condition are moderately available and typically trade at modest valuations, reflecting its common status.

This note was issued during the final decades of Portuguese colonial rule in India, specifically under Decree No. 1,154. The reverse design depicts the Portuguese age of exploration, featuring a robed figure gesturing toward a fleet of carracks in harbor—symbolizing Portugal's maritime heritage and colonial enterprise in Asia. The note's bilingual inscriptions and design elements reflect the colonial administration's attempt to integrate local populations while maintaining Portuguese sovereignty over the Indian territories of Goa, Daman, and Diu.

The obverse features a profile portrait of a bearded male figure wearing a head covering or cap, positioned on the right side of the note within an ornate engraved border. The left side displays a circular medallion or seal containing a ship motif with text around its perimeter, representing Portuguese maritime commerce. The design is rendered in brown and maroon tones with green overprinting. The reverse depicts an allegorical scene of Portuguese colonial expansion: a robed historical or allegorical figure in profile gestures toward a fleet of Portuguese carracks (multi-masted sailing ships) anchored in a harbor, with coastal buildings visible in the background. The Portuguese coat of arms with heraldic shield design appears in the upper right, flanked by ornamental flourishes. The denomination numeral '10' appears prominently on the right side of the reverse.

FRONT: Banco Nacional Ultramarino (National Overseas Bank) | India Portuguesa (Portuguese India) | Decreto Nº 1.154 (Decree No. 1,154) | Dez Rupias (Ten Rupias) | दस रुपिये (Das Rupiye - Ten Rupias in Devanagari/Hindi) | Lisboa, 29 de Novembro de 1945 (Lisbon, 29th November 1945) | Serial number: 116332. BACK: Banco Nacional Ultramarino (National Overseas Bank) | Pagável na India Portuguesa (Payable in Portuguese India) | Waterlow & Sons Ltd, 19 Gracechurches, New Malden, Surrey, Inglaterra (Waterlow & Sons Ltd printer, England).

The note was produced using fine line engraving combined with color overprinting, characteristic of high-security banknote production in the 1940s. The printer Waterlow & Sons Ltd of New Malden, Surrey, England—one of the premier security printers of the era—produced this note. The intricate engraved border patterns, detailed line work throughout the design, and complex background shading demonstrate the advanced intaglio printing technique employed. The green overprint on the obverse and the bilingual text were applied as additional security and administrative measures.

This note is identified as Pick 36 for Portuguese India. The specific variety is distinguished by the date of 29 November 1945 and the referenced Decree No. 1,154. The serial number 116332 indicates this is from the standard circulation series. The bilingual text in Portuguese and Devanagari script (with correct spelling of 'Rupiye') is a standard feature of this issue. No notable varieties in terms of signatures, significant overprints, or printing errors are apparent in this example. The Waterlow & Sons printing credit on the reverse is consistent with the standard production of this Pick number.