Thursday, January 27, 2011

World's Top Most Worthless Money List

World's Top Most Worthless Money List

Zimbabwe 10 Million Dollars



As Americans worry about the rate of inflation exceeding 4 percent, we should consider Zimbabwe, where the inflation rate broke the shocking 100,000 percent mark and the country released a 10 million-dollar note (now valued below $4 on the black market). But Zimbabwe's currency is hardly the only one inflated beyond reason. —George Quraishi


Vietnam 500,000 Dong



500,000-dong note. U.S. value: $31.37
An early-1980s U.S. embargo hobbled exports, leading to price controls and the printing of excess currency.


Iran 50,000 Rial



50,000-rial note. U.S. value: $5.35
Since the 1979 revolution, Iran's inflation rate has hovered around 15 percent, thanks in part to ever-rising oil prices.


São Tomé 50,000 Dobra



50,000-dobra note. U.S. value: $3.47.
This African island nation's economy is tied to the volatile price of its chief export, cocoa, and is measured against its trading partners' robust euro.


Indonesia 100,000 Rupiah



100,000-rupiah note. U.S. value: $11.05
During the 1997 Asian financial crisis, the rupiah lost 80 percent of its value within months, sparking riots in Jakarta (and soon ending President Suharto's 32-year rule).


Guinea 10,000 Franc



10,000-franc note. U.S. value: $2.33
In 2002, the mineral-rich African country refused to implement reforms mandated by the International Monetary Fund; foreign cash dried up, and the central bank printed too much money.

Indo-Portuguese Currency Notes Issues

Indo-Portuguese Currency Notes Issues

India had extensive links with the Hellenic and Roman civilisations between the 4th century BC and the 4th Century AD. Alexander's invasion of the Punjab gave rise to the Hellenic links and very considerable maritime trade established links with the Roman Empire. Renewed contact with the West began with the arrival of the Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama at Calicut in 1498. Francisco de Almeda and Afonso de Albuquerque helped establish and consolidate Portuguese power in India and the East. The territory of Goa in western India was seized in 1510. The Portuguese enjoyed virtual monopoly of trade with India for more than a century till the arrival of the Dutch and the English. They, however, retained the territories of Goa, Daman and Diu till 1961. The first Indo-Portuguese issues of paper currency were the 'Rupia' denominated notes put into circulation around 1883. These notes incorporated the portrait of the King of Portugal. These were issued in denominations of 5,10,20,50,100 and 500. In 1906, 'Banco Nacional Ultramarino' was entrusted with the responsibility of issue of paper money in India for the Portuguese held territories. The early notes issued by the bank carried the seal of the bank. New denominations of 4 Tangas, 8 Tangas and One Rupia and 21/2 Rupias were introduced in 1917. Most issues carried the Commerce and Sailing Ships motifs common to many colonial issues. Indian symbols and motifs (architectural and exotic fauna) were adopted on some notes. Later notes carried the portrait of Afonso De Albuquerque. The monetary system in vogue in Goa consisted of the Reis, the Tanga and the Rupia with one Rupia consisting of 16 Tangas. In 1959, the denominational unit was changed from Rupia to Escudos with one Escudo consisting of 100 Cent avos. New notes with the denominations of 30, 60, 100, 300, 600 and 1000 were introduced. These remained in circulation till 1961. When Goa was annexed to the Indian Union, these notes were replaced by Indian currency.












Indo - French Currency Note Issue

Indo - French Currency Note Issue

The Portugese thwarted early French designs to establish trade interests in India and the East. In 1664, Jean-Baptiste Colbert, the French Minister of Finance succeeded in establishing the first viable French Company (the French East India Company) during the reign of Louis XIV. The company established its factory at Surat in Western India and acquired a foothold in Southern India by acquiring Pondicherry in 1674. The disintegration of the Mughal Empire and the rivalry of local powers that strove to fill the vacuum, provided fertile ground for the English and the French to precipitate the Anglo-French struggle in India. As a result, the French lost most of their territories. The French territories were transferred to the Indian Union. De facto transfer of Pondicherry took place on 1st November, 1954 and de jure transfer on 28th May, 1956. Banque De l'Indochine issued paper money for the French in India, under decrees, which find mention on the notes. The earliest 'Roupie' denominated notes were issued in 1898. The Roupie consisted of 8 Fanons and one Fanon was equivalent to two annas. These were in the denomination of 50 and 10. Notes of One Roupie were issued immediately after the First World War. New notes of 50 Roupies carried the bust of Dupleix, who founded the French Empire in India. These notes continued to be in circulation till they were replaced by Indian currency in 1954.

Indo - French Currency Note Issue Collection







Hyderabad Currency Notes Issues

Hyderabad Currency Notes Issues

The Princely State of Hyderabad was founded around 1724 when Mir Qamar-ud-Din, the Mughal Viceroy of the Deccan, assumed independence under the title of Asaf Jah and founded the dynasty of the Nizams of Hyderabad. In the post 1857 era, the state of Hyderabad was one of the largest Princely States in India and later came to be known as the 'Dominion of His Exalted Highness, the Nizam'. The State which covered territories presently included in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka was assimilated into the Indian Union. In matters of currency and coinage, the coins of the Nizams were issued in the name of the Mughal Emperor till 1858. Thereafter, they were struck independently and the new coins were termed the 'Hali Sicca', i.e., the current coins. Where paper currency was concerned, the Government of Hyderabad had made several state led efforts to organise private bankers and local 'saukars' in the Dominion to set up a banking company which could issued paper money, amongst other activities. These attempts to issue paper currency proved abortive, in the wake of British resistance to Indian States issuing paper currency. The exigency of the First World War, the Indian and Hyderabad contributions to British war effort, and an acute shortage of silver on the subcontinent led the Dominion to get its way in 1918 and paper currency was issued under the Hyderabad Currency Act. Notes were issued in denominations of Rupees 100 and Rs 10. The currency was designated the Osmania Sicca and the notes were printed by Messrs Waterlow and Sons. Rupee One and Rupees Five notes were issued subsequently in 1919 and Rupees One Thousand notes were issued in 1926. After the setting up of the India Currency Notes Press at Nasik, Hyderabad notes came to be printed there for reasons of economy and security. Hyderabad acceded to the Indian Union after police action. The Osmania Sicca was demonetised in 1959. With the reorganisation of states on a linguistic basis the State of Hyderabad ceased to exist.

Hyderabad 10 Rupees Currency Notes Issues








1957-1962 Indian 100 Rupees Currency Notes

1957-1962 Indian 100 Rupees Currency Notes















1949-1957 Indian Ten Rupees Currency Note

1949-1957 Indian Ten Rupee Currency Note





1962-1967 Indian 5 Rupee Paper Notes

1962-1967 Indian 5 Rupee Paper Notes




1957-1962 Indian Five Rupee Paper Notes

1957-1962 Indian Five Rupee Paper Notes






1949 - 1957 Indian 5 Rupee Paper Note

1949 - 1957 Indian 5 Rupee Paper Note




1957 - 1962 Two Rupees Currency Notes

1957 - 1962 Two Rupees Currency Notes




1949 - 1957 Two Rupees Indian Currency Note

1949 - 1957 Two Rupees Indian Currency Note




1940 Indian 1 Rupee Currency Note

1940 Indian 1 Rupee Currency Note




1943 Indian Ten Rupees Currency Notes

1943 Indian Ten Rupees Currency Notes




1937 Indian 1,000 Rupees Currency Notes

1937 Indian 1,000 Rupees Currency Notes




1937 - 1943 Indian Ten Rupees Currency Notes

1937 - 1943 Indian Ten Rupees Currency Notes




Rare 1943 Five Rupees Currency Note

Rare 1943 Five Rupees Currency Note




1937 Indian 5 Rupees Currency Notes

1937 Indian 5 Rupees Currency Notes