EAST AFRICA. Government of the East Africa Protectorate. 500 Rupees, 1.7.1912. P-6s. Specimen. PMG Choice About Uncirculated 58.While not the highest denomination of the series, the 500 Rupees from the East Africa Protectorate is a world class rarity that has eluded even the most advanced collectors. While we are aware of at least one or more issued pieces, its rarity means that most collectors would be ecstatic to add this type in any format to their holdings. If you are putting together a set of Commonwealth notes, or rare world paper money, or just enjoy "the classics", look no further than the present offering. One of the issued notes (dated 1916) brought almost 6-figures elsewhere in 2019, but this should be a bit more affordable, even though it is almost of the same rarity level.<p>Initial British influence in East Africa came under the auspices of the Imperial British East Africa Company, a commercial enterprise that existed from 1888 to 1896. In 1895, the region came under the control of the British crown, who formed the Uganda Protectorate and the East Africa Protectorate in 1895. The latter consisted of much of the modern day country of Kenya. The first bank notes were printed for the region in 1905, ranging in value from 5 Rupees (Indian Rupees were the currency of choice in the region since the early days) to 1000 Rupees. The present 500 Rupees specimen, dated 1912, is an example from this series, which were issued at Mombasa even though the capital of the protectorate had moved to Nairobi around the same time the first notes were issued.<p>The higher denomination of this series (and really the entire series) are famed world class rarities. Printed in England by Thomas de La Rue, the local population is unlikely to have used these notes, although the British made extensive use of these for larger transactions. The design was uniface and fairly simplistic, but as the rarity of issued notes and their typical well-worn condition shows these were readily accepted in everyday commerce. The present 500 Rupees specimen was most likely produced for archival reasons, and shows a small ink stamp on the front as well as a "CANCELLED" perforation. It is the finer of just two that are present in the PMG population report, with the other in Very Fine condition. An extremely important opportunity for the specialist and not one we expect to repeat anytime soon. PMG Comments "Printers Stamp."From the Mombasa Collection.
