2020-02-19 Wed

In 1498, the Portuguese were the first Europeans to land on the Indian shores. They remained in power for nearly two centuries in India but due to the rise of the British East India Company, their dominion was confined to Goa and another region on the west coast of India.

Portuguese issued the first one rupee note in 1917, written as “Uma Rupia”. It was the second issue of ‘Banco Nacional Ultramarino’ meaning Overseas National Bank of New Goa. It was printed in London by Bradbury Wilkinson & Co. Ltd. This issue of one rupee note had two types.

The first type consisted of a blue seal of Nova Goa on the obverse, which is called as the blue type. The reverse of which was reddish in color. The second type consisted of a Brownish seal of Nova Goa on the obverse, which is called as the brown type with Brownish Maroon color in reverse.

The reverse side of these two notes depicts Ornamental Guilloche panel on either side of a maiden resting on an anchor with ship and water in the background.

Image Source: https://www.cgbfr.com