PCGS Banknote Certifies African Rarity: Zanzibar 1916 10 Rupees

PCGS - Zanzibar consists of an archipelago in the Indian Ocean just off the east coast of the African continent. While it is now recognized as a semi-autonomous region of Tanzania, in 1916 it was part of the British Empire as a protectorate, however it was not a colony and was ruled by Sultan Khalifa bin Harub. In 1963 the United Kingdom terminated the protectorate and Zanzibar became a monarchy. After a short revolution, the new republic would merge with what is now known as Tanzania. Zanzibar City is the capital, located on the main island in the archipelago, Unguja.

Banknotes issued by Zanzibar were short lived, as the first issues bear a year of 1908 and the last banknotes state 1928. And in 1936, all of these issues were withdrawn as the state moved to the use of East African Shillings.

Any banknote issued by Zanzibar is a prize, as demand for these issues far outweighs the minuscule supply of survivors. The series dated August 1, 1916 is a rarity within an already scarce issue as auction archives and experts attest to. Interestingly it seems this series was a rushed issue given the first signer's title was applied with a stamp that blocked out the previous title, as opposed to being engraved on the plate itself.



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