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Notes for Indo-French Territories : 1817 - 1956

The establishment of the French East India Company led to the French colonies in India which reached its zenith during 1750-1770 in southern India. The various French settlements were subsequently reduced to the coastal territories of Chandernagore, Yanaon, Mahe and Karaikkal and Pondicherry being their largest settlement. The banknote issue for these colonies was managed by the Banque de l’Indochine, Paris, France and controlled the currency affairs of all French colonies in the Orient.

In India, Banque de l’Indochine issued notes from Pondicherry. The first notes issued in 1876 had a denomination of 10 Roupies. Subsequently notes of 1, 5 and 50 Roupies were also issued. The monetary system was similar to that used in India and based on a silver coinage, the Rupee. Banknotes issues by the Banque de l’Indochine ceased in 1954 after the incorporation of the French territories into the Republic of India.

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