India, Government of India, Five Rupees, 26 March 1858, Calcutta, A/A 00000-A/A 00003, specimen on fully watermarked paper, ‘Signature’ written across bottom right (Jhunjhunwalla/Pick –). Some light foxing around edges, small mount marks on back, a couple of pinholes, a few tiny holes along creases and a 5mm split in panel on right side, otherwise very fine and extremely rare £6,000-8,000

The first series of notes for the government of India carried the portrait of Queen Victoria and were issued in 1861. The lowest denomination was for ten rupees. Notes for five rupees were not issued until 1872 as part of a new non-portrait design