Government of Burma Banknotes: Post-Independence Rupee

Delve into Government of Burma Banknotes: 1948 Post-Independence Rupee, the currency embodying the spirit of a newly independent nation. These significant banknotes, issued post-independence (1948-1950) in 1, 5, 10, and 100 Rupees, mark a pivotal shift in Burma's monetary history. Following our in-depth exploration of the Burma Currency Board overprint banknotes, which served as interim solutions during the British colonial era, this article now shifts focus. We will examine the historical context of their issuance, the pivotal moments leading to independence, their unique designs, distinctive signatures, and profound historical significance.

Aung San - Atlee Agreement

The Aung San - Atlee Agreement, signed on 27 January 1947, was pivotal in Burma’s path to independence from British rule. Negotiated between British Prime Minister Clement Attlee and Burmese leader General Aung San, the agreement set a clear roadmap for Burma’s self-governance. It planned the drafting of a new constitution, scheduled general elections, and committed to Burma gaining full independence within a year.

Despite the assassination of General Aung San in July 1947, the framework established by the agreement remained intact, enabling Burma to achieve its independence as planned. The Aung San - Atlee Agreement thus stands as a cornerstone in Burma’s history, representing the aspirations of its people and the commitment to a peaceful transition to self-rule.

The Constitution of the Union of Burma

The Burma Constitution, dated 24 September 1947, was drafted following the Aung San-Atlee Agreement. The constitution was created by the Constituent Assembly after elections in April 1947. The first three provisions of the Constitution are as follows:

Section 1: Burma is a Sovereign Independent Republic to be known as “the Union of Burma”.

Section 2: The Union of Burma shall comprise the whole of Burma, including: (i) all the territories that were heretofore governed by His Britannic Majesty through the Governor of Burma, and (ii) the Karenni States.

Section 3: The sovereignty of the Union resides in the people.

Government of Burma Banknotes

The Constitution of Burma, enacted on 24 September 1947, marked a significant step in the country's journey toward independence. With the new constitution in place, it became imperative to establish various governmental agencies, including a national bank to manage the country’s finances. Consequently, the Union Bank of Burma Act, 1947 was enacted on 1 October 1947. This Act recognized the existing Burma Currency Board, constituted under the Currency and Coinage Act, 1946, to manage the issuance of currency.

Denominations

The issuance of banknotes and coins in post-independence Burma was governed by the Currency and Coinage Act, 1946. According to Section 12, in conjunction with the First Schedule of the Act, the permissible denominations for currency notes were specified. The Act provided for the issuance of four denominations: one rupee, five rupees, ten rupees, and one hundred rupees. These denominations were carefully chosen to cater to various economic transactions, from everyday purchases to larger commercial dealings, ensuring a comprehensive and functional monetary system.

Following Burma's independence, the issuance of the 1 Rupee, 5 Rupee, 10 Rupee, and 100 Rupee banknotes took place at different times. The first two denominations, the one rupee, and five rupee notes, were introduced in 1948, soon after the country gained its sovereignty. The higher denominations, the ten rupee, and one hundred rupee notes, were issued subsequently in 1949 and 1950, respectively. This phased issuance ensured a smooth transition to a fully operational independent currency system.

Title on the Banknotes

Despite the new constitution, which declared Burma a Sovereign Independent Republic known as “the Union of Burma,” the Union Bank of Burma Act still used the term "Government of Burma" in various provisions. Reflecting this transitional phase, the first banknotes issued under the new government, specifically the 1 Rupee and 5 Rupee notes, bore the title "Government of Burma" in Burmese on the front and in English on the back.

The initial design of the 10 Rupee and 100 Rupee notes also had the title "Government of Burma." As the legislative framework evolved and Burma officially declared its new status, subsequent laws and notifications adopted the title "Government of the Union of Burma." This change was mirrored in the new design of the 10 Rupee and 100 Rupee banknotes, prepared after independence, carrying the title "Government of the Union of Burma" in Burmese on the front and in English on the back. It should also be noted that the text in Burmese is "Myanmar" instead of "Bama" or Burma.

Language on the Banknotes

The banknotes prominently feature the Burmese language on the front side with a few minor exceptions: the printer's name is shown in English on the 1 Rupee and 5 Rupee notes, and the text "Rangoon 1st January 1948" is displayed on the 100 Rupee note. These exceptions aside, the extensive use of the Burmese language highlights the country's post-independence identity and pride.

On the reverse side of the notes, the issuer and denominations are displayed in English. On the front center, the numerals on the notes are presented in Burmese, reinforcing the nationalistic theme. Additionally, the numerals at all four corners, both on the obverse and reverse of the notes are shown in both Burmese and Roman numerals.

Signatures on the Banknotes

The banknotes of British Burma featured only one signature. Japanese Government banknotes and the Burma State Bank banknote Peacock Issue notably had no signatures, emphasizing a different standard during World War II. The Burma State Bank banknotes with Ba Maw's portrait also maintained the tradition of having a single signature. Post-independence, the Union Bank of Burma banknotes followed the same pattern with only one signature, whereas later issues lacked signatures altogether.

The banknotes issued by the Government of Burma are unique in their inclusion of two signatures, a distinctive feature among Burma's currency. The signature on the left side of these notes is that of Richard Valentine Nind Hopkins, the Chairman of the Burma Currency Board, while the signature on the right belongs to Maung Kaung, a Board Member of the Burma Currency Board. The inclusion of a Burmese board member's signature alongside the Chairman’s reflects an effort to embed local representation and national identity into the very fabric of the currency.

Prefix System Used

The Government of Burma banknotes used an alphanumeric prefix system, which combines numbers and letters to identify different print runs or batches of banknotes. An alphanumeric prefix typically includes a number followed by a letter, such as "1A." In standard alphanumeric systems, the number advances first until it reaches 9 (or 99 for double digits) before the letter advances (e.g., 1A, 2A, 3A, ..., 9A, 1B, 2B, ...).

However, the prefix system for this series of Government of Burma banknotes deviates from the standard pattern. In this series, the letter advances first before the number. For example, the sequence would be 1A, 1B, 1C, ..., 1Z, then 2A, 2B, 2C, ..., 2Z, and so on. This unconventional approach makes the prefix system interesting and important for collectors to understand.

In the Banknote Book catalog, the prefix range for the 100 Rupees denomination is specified as 1A to 1D. Collectors should note that there are only four prefixes (1A, 1B, 1C, 1D) and no prefixes like 2A, 3A, etc. Understanding this prefix system helps collectors accurately assess the total number of prefixes available, enhancing their knowledge and collection accuracy.

1 Rupee Government of Burma Banknote

The obverse design predominantly features a peacock. At the top of the front side, the issuer's name is prominently displayed in Burmese as "bama naing ngan asoya" meaning the Government of Burma. Directly below this, the legal tender statement declares the note's value as "one silver coin" in Burmese. At the bottom center, the printer's name, THOS. DE LA RUE & COMPANY LTD. is shown.

On the reverse side, the issuer's name "GOVERNMENT OF BURMA" and the denomination "ONE RUPEE" are presented in English. The main illustration on the reverse is the sailing boats with a mountain range in the background.

Denomination: 1 Rupee
Issuer: Government of Burma
Size: 108 x 66 mm
Color: Gray, green, and pink
Obverse Design: Peacock
Reverse Design: Sailing boats
Date: None
Signature: R.V.N. Hopkins and Maung Kaung
Material: Paper
Watermark: Peacock
Printer: Thomas De La Rue
Serial number color: Red
Catalog Number: Banknote Book B701; Pick 34

5 Rupee Government of Burma Banknote

The obverse design predominantly features a seated chinthe (mythical lion) facing left. In the top center of the border, there is a dancing peacock. At the top of the front side, the issuer's name is prominently displayed in Burmese as "bama naing ngan asoya" meaning the Government of Burma. Directly below this, the legal tender statement declares the note's value as "five silver coins" in Burmese. At the bottom center, the printer's name, THOMAS DE LA RUE & COMPANY, LIMITED is shown.

On the reverse side, the denomination "FIVE RUPEES" and the issuer's name "GOVERNMENT OF BURMA" are presented in English. The main illustration on the reverse is a woman spinning a cotton wheel and another woman weaving a cotton loom.

Denomination: 5 Rupee
Issuer: Government of Burma
Size: 126 x 73 mm
Color: Brown, blue, and yellow
Obverse Design: Peacock, seated chinthe facing left
Reverse Design: A woman spinning a cotton wheel and another woman weaving a cotton loom
Date: None
Signature: R.V.N. Hopkins and Maung Kaung
Material: Paper
Watermark: Peacock
Printer: Thomas De La Rue
Serial number color: Red
Catalog Number: Banknote Book B702; Pick 35

10 Rupee Government of Burma Banknote

The obverse design predominantly features a peacock. At the top of the front side, the issuer's name is prominently displayed in Burmese as "pyidaung zu myanmar naing ngan daw asoya" meaning the Government of Burma. Directly below this, the legal tender statement declares the note's value as "ten silver coins" in Burmese. Even though the note is printed by Thomas De La Rue, the printer's name is not shown on the note.

On the reverse side, the issuer's name "GOVERNMENT OF THE UNION OF BURMA" and the denomination "TEN RUPEES" are presented in English. The main illustration on the reverse is an elephant lifting a teak log with a trunk and mahout. In the top center of the border, there is a mythical lion.

Denomination: 10 Rupee
Issuer: Government of the Union of Burma
Size: 145 x 82 mm
Color: Blue, yellow, and violet
Obverse Design: Peacock
Reverse Design: Chinthe, an elephant lifting a teak log with a trunk and mahout
Date: None
Signature: R.V.N. Hopkins and Maung Kaung
Material: Paper
Watermark: Peacock
Printer: Thomas De La Rue
Serial number color: Red
Catalog Number: Banknote Book B703; Pick 36

100 Rupee Government of Burma Banknote

The obverse design predominantly features a peacock at the center and the head of a mythical lion on the right. There are also dragons displayed on the border. At the top of the front side, the issuer's name is prominently displayed in Burmese as "pyidaung zu myanmar naing ngan daw asoya" meaning the Government of Burma. Directly below this, the legal tender statement declares the note's value as "one hundred silver coins" in Burmese. Even though the note is printed by Thomas De La Rue, the printer's name is not shown on the note.

Underneath the serial number is the text "RANGOON 1st January 1948." Rangoon was the capital of Burma, while 1st January 1948 was the actual date of Burmese independence as per the agreement with the British. However, 4 January 1948 is observed as the Burmese Independence Day because the astrologers advised that 4 January was a more auspicious date.

On the reverse side, the issuer's name "GOVERNMENT OF THE UNION OF BURMA" and the denomination "ONE HUNDRED RUPEES" are presented in English. The main illustration on the reverse is a farmer with a pair of oxen plowing a field. In the top center of the border, there is a mythical lion.

Denomination: 100 Rupee
Issuer: Government of the Union of Burma
Size: 171 x 106 mm
Color: Green
Obverse Design: Peacock, head of chinthe, dragons
Reverse Design: Chinthe, a farmer with a pair of oxen plowing a field
Date: 1 January 1948
Signature: R.V.N. Hopkins and Maung Kaung
Material: Paper
Watermark: Peacock
Printer: Thomas De La Rue
Serial number color: Red
Catalog Number: Banknote Book B704; Pick 37

Conclusion

This article has explored the significance of the Government of Burma banknotes, which were issued following the country's hard-won independence. We delved into the various aspects of these banknotes, including their distinctive design elements, the range of denominations, the deliberate use of the Burmese language, and other interesting features.

The next article will focus on the Union Bank of Burma issues, continuing the story of Burma's evolving currency. This exploration will provide further insights into how Burma’s monetary system developed in the years following independence, highlighting the role of the Union Bank of Burma in stabilizing the economy, fostering financial independence, and supporting the nation’s economic growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What historical agreement paved the way for the issuance of Government of Burma banknotes?

A: The Aung San - Atlee Agreement, signed on 27 January 1947, was pivotal. It set a roadmap for Burma's independence, including the drafting of a new constitution and the commitment to full self-governance, directly leading to the issuance of these new banknotes.

Q: What denominations of banknotes were issued by the Government of Burma post-independence?

A: The Government of Burma issued banknotes in four denominations: 1 Rupee, 5 Rupees, 10 Rupees, and 100 Rupees. The 1 and 5 Rupee notes were introduced in 1948, while the 10 and 100 Rupee notes followed in 1949 and 1950, respectively.

Q: What distinctive feature makes Government of Burma banknotes unique among Burma's currency?

A: These banknotes are unique for featuring two signatures: that of Richard Valentine Nind Hopkins (Chairman of the Burma Currency Board) on the left, and Maung Kaung (a Board Member of the Burma Currency Board) on the right. This dual signature reflects an effort to incorporate local representation.

Q: How did the title on the banknotes change during this period?

A: Initially, the 1 and 5 Rupee notes bore the title "Government of Burma." However, as the legislative framework evolved after independence, the 10 and 100 Rupee notes were issued with the updated title "Government of the Union of Burma," reflecting the country's new constitutional status.

Q: What was the unusual prefix system used on these banknotes?

A: Unlike standard alphanumeric systems where the number advances first (e.g., 1A, 2A), the Government of Burma banknotes in this series used a system where the letter advanced first before the number (e.g., 1A, 1B, 1C... then 2A). For instance, the 100 Rupee note's prefixes are only 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D.