PREVIEW: WORLD BANKNOTES: 29 FEBRUARY

As one of the five pillars of Islam, Hajj is the pilgrimage to the Kaaba, the ‘House of Allah’, in the sacred city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. It is a journey that Muslims are expected to make at least once in their lives, if possible.

The challenges of completing Hajj are not to be underestimated, and Hajj banknotes were introduced by Pakistan after independence in 1947, with the State Bank of Pakistan issuing the Hajj banknote during the 1950s.

 

This was partly to provide an easy exchange facility for pilgrims travelling to Mecca, and partly to help control the illegal export of Pakistani currency via Mecca during the Hajj season. Hajj notes were withdrawn in 1994.

A highlight of this auction is a State Bank of Pakistan, Hajj Pilgrim Issue, 100 Rupees. Dating to 1972, and with the Khan signature, the black over print reads ‘HAJ PILGRIMS FROM PAKISTAN FOR USE IN SAUDI ARABIA ONLY’ at the centre.

This is an uncirculated note, and the highest listed on the PMG population report. Extremely desirable and rare, it is estimated at £8,000-10,000.