British India, George V, One rupee bank note, (signed by M M S Gubbay, 1st issue 1917, Serial No M9 830209)

The rupee’s first paper avatar. World War I disrupted the supply of metals like silver and copper, and led to the hoarding of coins. Fearing a run on the silver rupee coins, the Government of India introduced notes to replace the 1-rupee coins in 1917. Signed by the Controller of Currency, they had an imprint of a rupee coin and were issued in booklets of 25 tear-away notes.