King George VI Banknotes

Banknotes featuring King George VI represent a significant era in the evolution of Indian currency, bridging the final years of British colonial rule, the country’s independence in 1947, and the early post-independence years. These notes circulated across British India, Burma, Pakistan, and the Dominion of India, giving them broad regional significance and lasting historical value.

During this period, denominations of 2, 5, 10, 100, 1000, and 10000 Rupees were issued by the Reserve Bank of India, while the 1 Rupee note continued to be issued by the Government of India. The RBI notes appeared with two signature varieties — the first by J.B. Taylor and the second by C.D. Deshmukh. The Government of India’s 1 Rupee note was signed by C.E. Jones.

Issuing circles were indicated in full on high-denomination notes, namely 100, 1000, and 10000 Rupees. Cities included Bombay, Calcutta, Cawnpore (later renamed Kanpur), Karachi, Lahore, Madras, and in later 100 Rupee notes, Delhi. However, the 1000 and 10000 Rupee notes were never issued with Delhi or Kanpur as issuing circles.

The design of King George VI notes also evolved over time. Early issues featured a side-facing portrait of the King, while later notes — particularly the 5 and 10 Rupees — adopted a front-facing portrait, marking a stylistic transition within the series. The notes were printed at the India Security Press in Nasik and reflected increasing technical refinement in Indian currency production.

Several regional adaptations of King George VI banknotes were made during this era. One of the most notable is the Peacock Series, issued by the Reserve Bank of India specifically for use in Burma. These notes featured King George VI and were issued without any overprint, making them distinct from later wartime issues. During and after World War II, standard 1, 5, 10, and 100 Rupee King George VI notes were overprinted with “Military Administration of Burma” and later “Burma Currency Board” as Burma shifted between wartime and post-war control.

Following the partition of India in 1947, several King George VI banknotes were adapted for use in the newly formed Pakistan. Denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, and 100 Rupees were issued with lithographed text stating “Government of Pakistan” in both English and Urdu. These were intended exclusively for circulation within Pakistan as an interim currency solution.

In newly independent India, King George VI portrait notes continued to be used during the Dominion of India period. These were visually distinguished from earlier issues by their serial number colors — most notably, red serials on the 1, 2, and 5 Rupee notes, and green serials on the 100 Rupee notes.

For collectors, King George VI banknotes are rich with variation — across denominations, portrait styles, issuing regions, and political contexts. They represent a unique moment in India’s currency history — bridging colonial administration, World War II disruptions, partition, and the early post-independence era.

The Banknotes of King George VI

Discover our curated selection of King George VI British India banknotes, issued between 1938 and 1947 by the Reserve Bank of India and the Government of India. This collection includes standard portrait issues, as well as special subtypes such as Burma overprints, Pakistan lithograph notes, and Dominion of India notes. Each note captures the economic and political shifts of India. New notes are added regularly, so check back often to explore more.

Our King George VI Banknote Collection

British Burma Banknotes

Pick 4 – British Burma 5 Rupees Peacock Note
Grade: PMG 58 • Price: $440

Pick 25a – British Burma 1 Rupee Overprint Black Serial Prefix U/0
Grade: PMG 65 EPQ • Price: $1,600

Government of Pakistan Banknotes

Pick 3 – Government of Pakistan 10 Rupees KGVI - H/88 Prefix
Grade: VF • Price: $700

Dominion of India Banknotes

Pick 25b – Dominion of India KGVI 1 Rupee Red Serial Number
Grade: PMG 35 • Price: $700

We’re always updating our collection of British India banknotes. If you’re searching for a particular note — whether by Pick number, year, issuing circle, prefix, or any variety — we’d love to help.

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🔗 Explore More Banknote Series

Continue your journey through India’s currency history with other collectible note series, from British colonial issues to post-independence paper money.

🔹 British India Banknotes
Discover the earliest official paper money of colonial India, including both uniface and portrait notes issued before independence.

🔹 King George V Banknotes
Explore the first portrait banknotes of British India, spanning multiple denominations from the 1910s to 1930s.

🔹 British Burma Banknotes
Find notes used in Burma during colonial rule, including King George V overprints, RBI-issued peacock notes, and King George VI overprints.

🔹 King George VI Pakistan Banknotes
View British India notes lithographed with “Government of Pakistan” text — issued shortly after the 1947 partition for use in Pakistan.

🔹 Dominion of India Banknotes
Browse post-independence, pre-republic currency that retained the King’s portrait but marked the shift toward sovereignty.

🔹 Republic India Banknotes
See the Ashoka Pillar and Mahatma Gandhi series that define India’s official post-republic paper money.

🔹 Fancy Serial Number Banknotes
Discover banknotes with collectible serial patterns like solid numbers, ladders, low numbers, million number, and more.

🔹 Other Rare Indian Banknotes
Uncover unique issues from French India, Portuguese India, Gulf circulation, and Princely States that fall outside standard categories.

Whether you're a seasoned collector or just starting out, these curated categories offer a rich view into the historical, political, and artistic evolution of Indian currency notes.

🛒 Browse All Banknotes - View our complete collection of Indian banknotes across all regions and eras.
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