King George VI RBI Burma Peacock Banknotes

Continuing our series on historical banknotes, this article delves into the iconic King George VI RBI Burma Peacock banknotes. Issued by the Reserve Bank of India between 1938 and 1939, these distinctive Burma banknotes—spanning 5, 10, 100, 1000, and 10000 Rupees—bore the portrait of King George VI and are instantly recognizable for their unique Burmese designs, including prominent peacock imagery. As explored in our previous article on the provisional King George V issue, these notes followed Burma's separation from British India. They are not only valued for their economic role but also for their rich historical and cultural symbolism, reflecting the complexities of colonial administration and Burma's evolving economic landscape during the late 1930s. This piece will explore their unique features, designs, and historical context in detail.

Historical Context

Burma as Part of British India

Before delving into the specifics of the King George VI banknotes, it is essential to understand Burma's status within the British Empire. Until 1 April 1937, Burma was part of British India. Consequently, the currency used in Burma was issued under the aegis of the Indian monetary system.

Separation from British India

The Government of India Act (1935) decreed that Burma would be separated from India on 1 April 1937. The India and Burma (Burma Monetary Arrangements) Order (1937) stipulated that the Reserve Bank of India was to continue managing Burma’s currency and banking, and that for the time being, Burma would continue using Indian coins. However, separate Burma banknotes were to be issued almost immediately. As a crucial provisional measure, the Government of India King George V banknotes were overprinted for use in Burma. You can delve deeper into these transitional notes in our dedicated article.

1938 - 1939 Burma Peacock Banknote

By 1938, the necessity for distinct Burmese banknotes became evident as Burma transitioned towards monetary independence following its separation from British India. This pivotal change was marked by the introduction of banknotes featuring King George VI, who ascended the throne in December 1936 following the abdication of his brother, King Edward VIII. The Burma Reserve Bank of India notes reflect Burma's evolving economic identity while preserving its economic ties with British India. The first of these new notes, the 5 Rupee denomination, was issued in May 1938. This was a significant step as it was the first official Burmese currency distinct from the overprinted Indian notes.

In June 1938, the RBI followed up with the issuance of the 10 Rupee note, further solidifying Burma’s new monetary system. These initial denominations were crucial for daily transactions and laid the foundation for the broader acceptance of Burmese-specific currency. The following year saw the introduction of higher denominations to accommodate larger financial transactions and banking needs. In May 1939, the RBI issued the 100 Rupees and the 10000 Rupees notes, which catered to more substantial economic activities and signaled the growing complexity of Burma’s financial landscape. The series was completed in July 1939 with the issuance of the 1000 Rupee note, providing a comprehensive range of denominations to meet the diverse needs of Burma's economy.

All of these notes featured King George VI on one side, providing a clear link to the British Crown. However, to give them the required distinctive design, the obverse side showcased various Burmese motifs, such as peacocks, elephants, ox-carts, sailing boats, tigers, and waterfalls. These motifs not only enhanced the aesthetic value of the notes but also imbued them with a sense of national identity and cultural heritage. Additionally, the notes feature Burmese numeral on the obverse and trilingual text on the reverse with denominations inscribed in three languages - English, Burmese, and Shan, representing administrative complexities under British rule, particularly the inclusion of Shan script alongside Burmese.

The 1000 and 10000 Rupee banknotes were demonetized in May 1945, while, the 5, 10, and 100 Rupee banknotes were demonetized in June 1950.

5 Rupee Burma Peacock Banknote

In May 1938, the Reserve Bank of India issued the 5 Rupee denomination of the Burma notes. The banknote is the first issued banknote to feature BURMA's name on the original plate design of the banknote. The 5 Rupee note is also the smallest denomination in this series. The banknote measuring 127 x 73 mm, features a distinctive violet and green color scheme. Its obverse prominently displays the "Reserve Bank of India" at the top center, with text guaranteeing payment of five rupees in Burma. On the front, the numeral value Rs 5 in English is displayed in the top left corner and the corresponding value in Burmese is displayed in the top right corner.

The center front of the note features a peacock flanked by lion heads. Due to this, this banknote is sometimes nicknamed the peacock note. The note also bears King George VI portrait facing left. On the reverse, there is an illustration of an elephant in a forest. In the language panel on the reverse left side panel, the Burmese script reads “nge dinga nga pya”, while the Shan script reads “ngeun ha kyat” signifying the denomination of five. Interestingly, the denomination in Shan script is kyat.

The serial number, positioned at the lower left on the front, is in the form of an alphanumeric prefix with a character on top and number(s) at the bottom without any fractional line followed by 6-digit serial numbers. The known prefix range is from A/0 to A/36. The banknote is signed by J.B. Taylor, governor of the Reserve Bank of India. Underneath the serial number and signature, there is the text "FIVE" and "RUPEES" respectively.

Denomination: 5 Rupee
Issuer: Reserve Bank of India
Size: 127 x 73 mm
Color: Violet and green
Obverse Design: Peacock; King George VI facing left
Reverse Design: Elephant in forest
Date: None
Signature: J.B. Taylor
Material: Paper
Security Thread: None
Watermark: King George VI and 5 RESERVE BANK OF INDIA 5
Printer: India Security Press
Issue Date: May 1938
Prefix: A/0 to A/36
Catalog Number: Banknote Book B201; Pick 4

10 Rupee RBI Burma Banknote

In June 1938, the Reserve Bank of India issued the 10 Rupee denomination of the Burma notes. The banknote is the second banknote issued in this series. The banknote measuring 146 x 84 mm, is multi-colored with a predominant green hue with violet and blue. Its obverse prominently displays the "Reserve Bank of India" at the top center, with the text "I promise to pay the bearer on demand the sum of ten rupees at any office of issue in Burma". On the front, the numeral value Rs 10 in English is displayed in the top left and bottom right. The corresponding value in Burmese is displayed in the top right.

The center front of the note features a farmer plowing with oxen and a bullock cart flanked by palm trees. The note also bears King George VI portrait facing left. On the reverse, there is an illustration of a sailing boat. In the language panel on the reverse left side panel, the Burmese script reads “ngwe dinga ta se” and the Shan script reads "ngeun khan neung" meaning ten silver pieces.

The serial number, positioned at the lower center on the front, is in the form of an alphanumeric prefix with a character on top and number(s) at the bottom without any fractional line followed by 6-digit serial numbers. The known prefix range is from A/0 to A/50. To the left of the serial number is the signature, J.B. Taylor. Underneath the signature, there is the text "TEN RUPEES" in two lines.

Denomination: 10 Rupee
Issuer: Reserve Bank of India
Size: 146 x 84 mm
Color: Green, blue and violet
Obverse Design: Farmer plowing with oxen; Bullock cart; King George VI facing left
Reverse Design: Sailing boat
Date: None
Signature: J.B. Taylor
Material: Paper
Security Thread: None
Watermark: King George VI and TEN RUPEES RESERVE BANK OF INDIA TEN RUPEES
Printer: India Security Press
Issue Date: June 1938
Prefix: A/0 to A/50
Catalog Number: Banknote Book B202; Pick 5

Note: Banknotes without violet color variety but as they are not mentioned in any catalog as a separate variety, we have not mentioned it.

100 Rupee Burma Peacock Banknote

In May 1939, the Reserve Bank of India issued the 100 Rupee denomination of the Burma notes. The banknote measures 171 x 108 mm and is mainly in blue. The issuer's name "Reserve Bank of India" is predominantly positioned at the top center. Underneath the issuer name is the text "I promise to pay the bearer on demand at any office of the issue in Burma the sum of one hundred rupees". On the front, the numeral value 100 in English is displayed in the top left corner and the corresponding value in Burmese is displayed in the top right corner.

Like, the 5 Rupees note, there is an illustration of a peacock in the center of the note. On the right, there is a vignette of King George VI facing left. The central panel on the reverse features elephants pushing teak logs. Peacocks are also displayed in the bottom left and bottom right. On the left side, there is value in English only. The value in Burmese script “ngwe dinga ta ya” and Shan script “ngeun pak neung” signifying one hundred silver pieces are placed above and below the central panel.

At the bottom center on the front is the signature of the governor, J.B. Taylor. The signature is flanked by serial numbers on both sides, in the form of an alphanumeric prefix with a character on top and a number at the bottom without any fractional line followed by 6-digit serial numbers. The known prefix range is from A/0 to A/2. For A/2, there is a record only up to serial number 500000. In the serial number and signature panel, there is the text "ONE HUNDRED RUPEES" as an underprint.

Interestingly, the higher denomination notes of the series have serial numbers positioned on both sides of the banknotes allowing them to be easily split and half of the note is used as a deposit which was a common practice in India and Burma. Due to this, it is not uncommon to see Indian and Burma paper money, especially higher denomination banknotes, split and then re-fixed. There are also instances where the 2 sides of the banknotes feature different serial numbers.

Denomination: 100 Rupee
Issuer: Reserve Bank of India
Size: 171 x 108 mm
Color: Blue, orange, green and violet
Obverse Design: Peacock; King George VI facing left
Reverse Design: Elephants logging teak trees in a forest
Date: None
Signature: J.B. Taylor
Material: Paper
Security Thread: None
Watermark: King George VI, linked chain and RESERVE BANK OF INDIA
Printer: India Security Press
Issue Date: May 1939
Prefix: A/0 to A/2 500000
Catalog Number: Banknote Book B203; Pick 6

1000 Rupee RBI Burma Banknote

In June 1939, to complete the series, the Reserve Bank of India issued the 1000 Rupee denomination of the Burma notes. The banknote measures 202 x 126 mm and is mainly in brown color hue with other colors. The issuer's name "Reserve Bank of India" is at the top center and flanked by serial numbers in the form of an alphanumeric prefix with a character on top and a number at the bottom without any fractional line followed by 6-digit serial numbers. Only prefix A/0 is known with records only up to serial number 200000 (two hundred thousand).

Unlike the lower denominations where King George VI is at the right, this note has a portrait of King George VI facing left at the center with promise text underneath the vignette. Underneath the text is the signature, J.B. Taylor. The reverse has illustrations of peacocks at the upper left and upper right, with a walking tiger in a circle at the center of the reverse. Like other denominations, the value is written in English, Burmese, and Shan scripts.

Denomination: 1000 Rupee
Issuer: Reserve Bank of India
Size: 202 x 126 mm
Color: Brown, blue, violet, and green
Obverse Design: King George VI facing left
Reverse Design: Tiger
Date: None
Signature: J.B. Taylor
Material: Paper
Security Thread: None
Watermark: King George VI, linked chain and RESERVE BANK OF INDIA
Printer: India Security Press
Issue Date: June 1939
Prefix: A/0
Catalog Number: Banknote Book B204; Pick 7

10000 Rupee RBI Burma Banknote

In May 1939, together with the 100 Rupees banknote, the Reserve Bank of India issued the 10000 Rupee denomination of the Burma notes. This banknote is the largest denomination of the British Burma banknotes to be issued. On the top center is the issuer's name "Reserve Bank of India" flanked by the Western Arabic numeral 10000. The corresponding numeral in Burmese is at the bottom left and bottom right corners. The promise text is right below the issuer's name. Like, the 1000 Rupees note, the portrait of King George VI facing left is at the center. The portrait is flanked by two watermark windows like King George V and King George VI 10000 Rupees banknotes of India.

Underneath the portrait of King George VI at the front center is the denomination text "TEN THOUSAND RUPEES" and underneath that is the signature, J.B. Taylor. The signature is flanked by serial numbers in the form of an alphanumeric prefix with a character on top and a number at the bottom without any fractional line followed by 6-digit serial numbers. Only the prefix A/0 is known. The center panel on the reverse displays the Haipa waterfall with denomination text in Burmese, Shan, and English underneath. Two peacocks flank the Shan script.

Denomination: 10000 Rupee
Issuer: Reserve Bank of India
Color: Violet, brown, yellow and orange
Obverse Design: King George VI facing left
Reverse Design: Waterfall
Date: None
Signature: J.B. Taylor
Material: Paper
Security Thread: None
Watermark: King George VI, linked chain and RESERVE BANK OF INDIA Rs 10.000 Rs
Printer: India Security Press
Issue Date: May 1939
Prefix: A/0
Catalog Number: Banknote Book B205; Pick 8

Conclusion

The King George VI Burma peacock banknotes issued between 1938 and 1939 represent a pivotal period in Burmese monetary history. These intricately designed notes, featuring unique local motifs alongside the British monarch, remain highly sought after by collectors of Burmese, Indian, and world banknotes. Despite notable missing a one-rupee denomination, their brief circulation was dramatically cut short by World War II, leading to the destruction of many. To explore the profound impact of WWII on British Burma's currency, join us in our next article.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When were the King George VI banknotes for Burma first issued, and by whom?

A: The King George VI banknotes for Burma were issued by the Reserve Bank of India between May 1938 and July 1939. This issuance marked Burma's transition towards monetary independence following its separation from British India in 1937.

Q: What denominations were included in the King George VI peacock banknote series for Burma?

A: The King George VI banknote series for Burma included denominations of 5, 10, 100, 1000, and 10000 Rupees. Notably, a one-rupee banknote was not part of this initial series.

Q: What distinctive design features did these banknotes have?

A: Beyond King George VI's portrait, these banknotes prominently featured various Burmese motifs such as peacocks, elephants, ox-carts, sailing boats, tigers, and waterfalls. They also included trilingual text (English, Burmese, and Shan) on the reverse, reflecting the administrative complexities of British Burma.

Q: Who was the signatory on the King George VI Burma banknotes?

A: All denominations of the King George VI banknotes for Burma issued between 1938 and 1939 bear the signature of J.B. Taylor, who was the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India at that time.

Q: When were the King George VI Burma banknotes demonetized?

The 1000 and 10000 Rupee King George VI banknotes were demonetized earlier, in May 1945. The lower denominations of 5, 10, and 100 Rupee banknotes were demonetized later, in June 1950.