In an auction in London, a Rs 100 ‘Haj note’ was sold for a staggering Rs 56,49,650, attracting significant attention due to its unique historical value.
What Makes the ‘Haj Note’ Special?
The Haj note, issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in the 1950s, belongs to a special series designed for Indian pilgrims traveling to Gulf countries for the Haj pilgrimage. Known as “Haj Notes,” these were introduced by the RBI to help prevent the illegal purchase of gold using regular Indian currency.
Distinctive Features
Haj notes were distinguishable by the ‘HA’ prefix on the serial number, making them stand out from other currency notes. Additionally, these notes had a unique color scheme compared to the regular Indian currency. While they were legal tender in Gulf countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman, they were not valid for use within India.
Discontinuation of Haj Notes
The issuance of Haj notes began as a way to regulate currency during pilgrimages, but by the 1970s, they were phased out. The introduction of local currencies in Gulf countries, starting with Kuwait in 1961, made the need for Haj notes obsolete.
Today, these rare and historically significant notes are highly valued by collectors, as seen in the recent auction sale.
