Different Types Of Waternarks In Indian Uniface Banknotes 1860 to 1930

Uniface Watermark:

There are basically five types of watermark used in Uniface notes that were in existence from 1860-1930.

Watermark 1:

The watermark within the paper had in the centre the words GOVERNMENT OF INDIA in one line. In the middle, value in words and in figures on either end; and the word RUPEES below it. On the lower two ends were two facsimile signatures; on the right was the signature of Lord Canning, the Governor General, and on the left was the signature of James Wilson, the Finance Member of the Legislative Council. Wavy lines on all four sides.

Watermark 2:

Same as watermark 1 except on the right was the signature of Lord Canning, the Governor General, and on the left was the signature of Samuel Laing, the Finance Member of the Council. Wavy lines on all four sides.


Watermark 3:

Watermark 3 is best described for denominations ten, twenty, fifty, one hundred and five hundred. Wavy lines along borders. In centre INDIA and RUPEES along the left and right margins inscribed twice vertically. GOVERNMENT OF INDIA towards bottom end. Notes of denominations 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500 have paper manufacturer’s code as part of the watermark. It is located towards the bottom end and is represented as an alphabet and two separate numbers of two digits each, the three placed apart. The alphabet represents the plate number. The first of the two digit numbers stands for the number of the week in which the paper was made and the second number represents the year of manufacture. For example A 27 03 would mean that the paper was manufactured using plate A in the 27th week of the year (19) 03.

Watermark 4:

This watermark was unique only to the denomination of Rs.5. Wavy lines on all four sides; in centre INDIA Below that 5 RUPEES 5 in two lines. The numeral 5 was used in the watermark from its inception. For notes from 1871 - 1901, the paper manufacturer’s code was inscribed in the centre of the note having two digits on either side. From 1906 onwards, the paper manufacturer’s code was moved towards the bottom end and the size of the note increased.

Watermark 5:

Watermark 5 is for notes denominations ten, fifty, one hundred and five hundred. Wavy lines along borders. From 1910-1914 as the case maybe, the word INDIA in centre was replaced by the numeral 10, 50, 100 & 500. RUPEES along the left and right margins inscribed twice vertically remained.

Explanation: The notes of Rs.5 got universalized in March 1903. This necessitated a change in the underprint colour from green to red for distinguishing the difference. The watermark was not changed as the numeral 5 was already present on either end of the note in the watermark.

On February 18, 1910, the notes of denominations 10 & 50 were declared universalized. The watermark was changed. The word INDIA was replaced by the numeral 10 and 50 as the case may be and the underprint colour got changed from green to red.

The notes of Rs.100 also got universalized in April 1911. There was no change made in form. They continued to have the green underprint and the full name of the issuing circle. The only change was the watermark. The word INDIA was replaced by the numeral 100 and were continued to be printed till 1931 when the new series and new design were introduced.

February 1914 saw the change in watermark of Rs.500 and Rs.1000 where the word INDIA was replaced by the numeral 500 and 1000 as the case may be. Since World War 1 broke out in July 1914, the Government did not implement the recommendations for universalisation. However, the new watermark continued till 1931 when the new series and new designs were introduced.