Two rare Indian banknotes with consecutive numbers, created for the Hajj, highlight DNW auction

Two extremely rare banknotes from the Reserve Bank of India are expected to fetch £30,000-40,000 each at Dix Noonan Webbon 16 April.

As Andrew Pattison, Head of Department, Banknotes at Dix Noonan Webb, commented: “The two Indian notes are special because they were issued by the Indian Government for use only by Muslims going on the Hajj’s Pilgrimage. Anyone who intended to travel would exchange their rupees for Haji’s rupees which were valid abroad, mainly in Saudi Arabia. 100 rupees was the highest denomination note available and represented a vast amount of money to the average pilgrim. Not many were printed and very few survive. To find a consecutive pair in this excellent condition is unheard of.”