The Revised Standard Reference Guide to Indian Paper Money Book Launch!

Jan. 26, 2012 - PRLog -- At a function attended by prominent celebrities, socialites and corporate honchos in Bangalore, Mr. Rezwan Razack, India’s biggest collectors of Indian banknotes launched his new book, ‘The Revised Standard Reference Guide to Indian Paper Money’ in association with Mr. Kishore Jhunjhunwalla. Mr. Razack also used this opportunity to showcase some of the rare notes from his exclusive personal collection to guests and well wishers.

'The Revised Standard Reference Guide to Indian Paper Money' very effectively chronicles the evolution of Indian currency dating back to 1770. The book captures the various nuances of modern day currency as well as interesting incidents that helped shape this sector over the years. The book can be considered a ready guide to answer any and every question relating to Indian currency.

Mr. Rezwan Razack – Joint MD, Prestige Group & Co-author of the book said, “Collecting rare banknotes has been my hobby and passion for many a decade now. This penchant has led me to travel the world over in pursuit of rare currency notes to add to my growing numismatic collection. Although there are several Numismatists today in India, I have over the years developed a passion specifically for rare notes and primarily those pertaining to the early period. I would like to dedicate this book to Indians to help them better understand the important role of currency in the history of our great nation and how it has transformed over the years.”

The exhaustive compendium features banknotes issued by the other colonial powers such as the French and Portuguese, as also banknotes issued by the banks of the princely states of Kashmir and Hyderabad, and "prisoner of war" notes – currency tokens issued during war to prisoners.

Among the other rarities depicted are specimens of banknotes developed by RBI in 1947 which had Mahatma Gandhi's portrait on it. This banknote did not come into circulation because in the end, RBI decided to depict instead the Ashok Pillar, the national emblem. It was only in 1996 that Gandhi's portrait replaced the Lion Capital on the rupee banknote.

About Rezwan Razack’s Collection:
Rezwan Razack, better known as the Managing Director of the Prestige Group, one of South India’s leading property developers, is also India's Biggest Collector of Indian Banknotes. He possesses one, or more, of every variety of paper currency printed in India since the 1770s, when private banks in India first began issuing banknotes. He has been collecting banknotes from childhood – for over 40-45 years.

And now, to take this interest further, Razack is also looking at opening his collection to the public. Later this year, he intends to open a museum that will display his collection in a custom designed museum in Prestige Shantiniketan in Whitefield. This is slated to be India's First Museum of Banknotes.

Over the years, Razack has managed to collect banknotes from cut-note dealers and later, stamp dealers and auctions in India and across the globe. Besides banknotes from the pre-1861 private banking era and those issued after the British government took after the business of issuing currency after 1861, Razack also possess as part of his collection rare printers' proofs, and pre-printing notes showing signatures of early master engravers like Sir George Willis and Henry Archer.

About Kishore Jhunjhunwalla (Co-author):
Is the author of ‘The Standard Reference Guide to Indian Paper Money’ which was published back in 2000. This book was appreciated worldwide for its in-depth information, presentation, cataloguing arrangement and high-quality printing. It also received the coveted ‘Book of the Year’ award from the International Bank Note Society. Jhunjhunwalla has co-authored ‘The Revised Standard Reference Guide to Indian Paper Money’, which is currently the most updated reference guide to Indian Paper Money in the country.