1st issue green underprint. uniface notes. printed in england on white, handmade, moulded paper. GOVERNMENT OF INDIA in centre. Two serial numbers on either side on top. Two sets of mirrored dates on either side and Circle of Issue below language panel. The language panels are below promise text. Denomination panel on either side. 5 / RUPEES on top corners of denomination panel. FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA in a panel on lower left with the signature to its right. Green underprint of two ovals under serial number and large 5 in middle.

Type 1, upto 1888: Wavy lines within a wavy rectangular panel with a gap on top. INDIA in centre and 5 RUPEES 5 below. The week and year of manufacturer’s code in two digits on either side in the centre. Type 2, from 1888 – 1901: Same as type 1 except wavy lines with no gap on top

The language panels and denomination panels are of six types, see table for their occurrence. The denomination panels show the numeral in the same languages as in the language panels and in the same order.

1. 1. Until 1895/1896 the prefix of every note was with a single alphabet with numeral from 1-99. From this year onwards, two alphabets were used with two numerals in the prefix.
2. In the case of regular circles, the Circle of Issue appears only once along with mirrored dates on either half in a single line. Whereas in notes with Sub-Circles, Circle of Issue and dates appear in two lines in each half below the language panel.