2016-11-26 Sat

We have seen some of the most famous artworks hidden in various banknotes. But here’s one more thing: Did you know there are a few notes which are just too rogue?

Call it a mistake, anomaly or just a rogue designer, but the banknotes of Seychelles from 1968 have the words “sex” and “scum” hidden in its design!

The 50-rupee banknotes of 1968 of the British commonwealth of Seychelles, an archipelago in the Indian Ocean that used to be a British crown colony, has a beautiful landscape of beach, boats and trees as its background. But on a closer look, the trees set behind the HM Queen’s Portrait spell the word “SEX” when tilted slightly. This 50 Rupee note was released every year between 1968 and 1973, with the exception of 1971.

In the same year, another such “mistake” was noticed in the 10-rupee notes. Though introduced in the same year (1968) it was not regularly issued (only two issues in the years 1968 and 1974) making them one of rarest of notes. This 10 Rupee notes have a sea turtle, some corals or seaweeds on its reverse. It is in this corals that the word “SCUM” is spotted!

Now whether this was a genuine printing mistake or anomaly or a “mistake” made by some rogue engraver we do not know. But many believe it was a deliberate act meant to lash out at the Crown because Seychelles wanted their independence, and eventually got it in 1976.

The “sex note” and the “scum note” remained in circulation until a new series with Sir James Meacham’s portrait was produced.

(Image courtesy: www.realbanknotes.com)