Catalog
5 Rupees
| Issuer | Government of the East Africa Protectorate |
|---|---|
| Year | 1905 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | Log in to see details |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Size | Log in to see details |
| Shape | Rectangular |
| Printer | Log in to see details |
| Designer(s) | Log in to see details |
| Engraver(s) | Log in to see details |
| In circulation to | Log in to see details |
| Reference(s) | Log in to see details |
| Obverse description | Plain light ground with guilloche ornaments at each corner and along the borders. The issuing authority title is set in large letterpress type across the upper portion, below which a promise-to-pay clause appears in cursive script. The central panel carries the denomination numeral '5' flanked by the value inscription 'FIVE RUPEES' in bold letterpress, with the denomination repeated in Arabic, Swahili in Arabic script, and Gujarati script in a subordinate band beneath. The issue place and date 'Mombasa 1st September 1905' appear in italic script at the lower centre, accompanied by a manuscript signature and the legend 'FOR THE CURRENCY COMMISSIONERS' at foot right. |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | THE GOVERNMENT OF THE EAST AFRICA PROTECTORATE PROMISES TO PAY THE BEARER ON DEMAND THE SUM OF FIVE RUPEES FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE EAST AFRICA PROTECTORATE |
| Reverse description | Log in to see details |
| Reverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Signature(s) | Log in to see details |
| Protection type | Log in to see details |
| Protection description | Log in to see details |
| Variants | Log in to see details |
| Comments |
The East Africa Protectorate currency notes of 1905 represent the very first paper money issued for British East Africa — before the territory became a formal crown colony in 1920. The Government, rather than a chartered bank, acted as issuer directly, an arrangement that reflected the underdeveloped state of banking infrastructure in the region at the time.
Thomas De La Rue handled production in London. Surviving examples are genuinely scarce; the combination of tropical climate, low initial print runs, and the eventual replacement by East African Currency Board issues in 1919 saw most of this series destroyed or lost to the conditions of the Protectorate itself.