PREVIEW: WORLD BANKNOTES: 29 FEBRUARY

Indian temple tokens are thought to date back to the 12th century, although the earliest examples may have been actual coins rather than Rama-tankas, as they became known.

In paper format they were rarer, especially in larger sums, such as the 10 rupee token note on offer here produced in 1876 for the Sri Kar Temple of Jammu & Kashmir.

 

With the serial number 1456, and a very small edge piece missing, with tiny margin tears, this very fine and attractive and original example is extremely rare. “It is a wonderful large format note with a striking woodblock printed design,” says Andrew Pattison, Noonans’ Head of Banknotes.

The estimate is £8,000-10,000.