Portuguese India Banco Nacional Ultramarino Specimen Notes

By Kathy Lawrence

A complete denomination set of specimens, comprising the 3rd issue from the Portuguese India Banco Nacional Ultramarino, dated 1924, will be offered as individual lots in the Heritage Currency September 2012 World Paper Money Signature Auction that will be held in Long Beach, California from September 5-10, 2012. The notes range in grade from Uncirculated 62 to Choice Uncirculated 64, all third party graded by PMG.

Thomas de la Rue of London printed the notes on unwatermarked paper. The text underneath the bank name, EM / NOVA GOA, translates as “Overseas National Bank in New Goa.” Once a small village, Nova Goa is now a city known as Panaji and is the capital of the Indian state of Goa.

Portuguese India, Banco Nacional Ultramarino 1 Rupia 1.1.1924 Pick 23s Jhunjhunwalla-Razack 12.13.1 Specimen PMG Choice Uncirculated 63

The colorful and beautifully designed notes being offered vary in size based upon denomination and some of the engravings are repeated. The blue and gold 1 Rupia and blue and purple 2 1/2 Rupias notes feature an engraving of the Jagannath Temple in Puri on the back, an important site for Hindus who worship Lord Jugannath (Lord Krishna), known as Lord of the Universe. The main entrance to the temple is known as The Lion Gate, which explains the design at center on the faces of those two denominations that includes the face of a roaring lion framed on either side by a column.

Portuguese India, Banco Nacional Ultramarino 5 Rupias 1.1.1924 Pick 25s Jhunjhunwalla-Razack 12.15.1 Specimen PMG Choice Uncirculated 64

The green 5, violet and blue 10, and violet and pink 20 Rupias notes include a representation of Sri Saptakoteshwar, Temple of Lord Shiva on the face. Saptakoteshwar, the presiding deity of the temple, is an incarnation of Lord Shiva. A charging tiger is depicted on the back.

Portuguese India, Banco Nacional Ultramarino 100 Rupias 1.1.1924 Pick 29s Jhunjhunwalla-Razack 12.19.1 Specimen PMG Uncirculated 62

A tusker elephant (an elephant with tusks), is seen on the face of the three highest denominations; the purple and maroon 50, the purple and brown 100, and the blue and maroon 500 Rupias examples. Prior to the 1970s, when poaching became more prevalent, approximately half of the elephants in India were tuskers. Today, they are quite rare. Foliage and trees are included in the vignette along with hills that can be observed in the distance. A large sailing ship is represented on the backs.

These beautiful specimens are among the many exceptional World notes that will be offered in Long Beach. If you are interested in consigning all or part of your collection, please contact a Consignment Director by calling 800-872-6467, ext. 1001 from the United States or (001) 214-528-3500. The consignment deadline is July 16, 2012. We look forward to hearing from you.

 

Tags: Auction News, Banco Nacional Ultramarino, Heritage auctions, Paper Currency, PMG, Portuguese India, Press Release