Burma 5 Rupees banknote 1948
This banknote is 126 x 73 mm. An illustration of a dancing peacock is at the top center and a traditional art style depicting a floral arabesque is in light brown color. Underneath this is a drawing of peacock and floral arabesque, the name of the bank note issuer in Burmese script “bama naing ngan asoya” signifying Government of Burma. (Like the 1 rupee banknote, the name of the banknote issuer in Burmese language appears “bama” for this issue, however later issues appear as “myanmar.”)
A scene of hills and palm trees is at center as background. An artistic drawing of a seated mythical lion (chinze or chinthe) in front of a palm tree is at the right. A watermark panel framed with two dragons tails entwined, is at the left. A statement “at all places where bank notes are issued, this note can be exchanged for 5 rupees” is written in Burmese at center, and signed by R.V.N. Hopkins, chairman, on behalf of Burmese State Currency Board and Maung Kaung, a member of the board. The last word of the statement in Burmese script for this note is not correct. It used “ba” instead of “tha”.
A large size numeral value of the note “5” in Burmese in light blue appears at the center as underprint. The watermark for this note, a dancing peacock, appears at the watermark window at left. The serial number in English is printed in red at the lower left under the watermark panel. The denomination in Burmese numbers appear in the upper left and lower right, and in Roman number at upper right and lower left corners. The printer’s name, Thomas De la Rue & Company Limited, is printed at the bottom center.
The reverse of the banknote is in brown. A young girl in traditional Burmese dress is spinning a cotton wheel in the foreground, and behind her a lady weaving served as a main illustration. The name of the banknote issuer “Government of Burma” is at bottom center. The watermark for this note a dancing peacock appears at the watermark window at right. This banknote was issued on August 1948.
Government of Burma
ND 1948 Issue
One Rupee 5 Rupees
BANKNOTES OF “GOVERNMENT OF BURMA” (1948-49)
In January 1946 Aung San became the President of the Anti Fascist People’s Freedom League (AFPFL) and in August Sir Hubert Rance became Governor. The objective of the AFPFL was for independence but they were ambivalent about remaining in the Commonwealth, the policy adopted by India. Aung San went to London in January 1947 to discuss with British Prime Minister Clement Attlee. On June 9, 1947 the constituent assembly voted to cut all ties with the British Empire.
Tragically on July 19, 1947 Aung San and eight cabinet members were assassinated. U Nu and Attlee signed an agreement on independence on 17th October 1947. The astrologers pronounced that the most auspicious time for a declaration of independence was 4: 20 am on January 4, 1948. This day is now being observed as an annual holiday.
In October 1946 the Burmese Government appointed a committee to advise on the form, design and color of new currency notes. The report of the committee, together with designs by four Burmese artists for the notes specified by the act, were made available to the Burma Currency Board in January 1947. The Government of Burma placed an order in June with Thomas De la Rue of London for the production of banknotes. These notes were to have a peacock watermark, and to be authenticated by the Chairman of the Board Sir Richard Hopkins and one member of the board. The reverses illustrated various national occupations, with government of burma in English. As the Burma Currency Board banknotes (new designs and overprinted) increased in numbers, it was decided to demonetize all India banknotes not marked “legal tenders in Burma Only,” from July 1, 1948.