PMG's Featured Note of the Month: Mauritius 5 Rupees

Posted on 4/20/2021

For Earth Day, here's a banknote that depicts a bird that no longer exists.



Mauritius / British Administration ND (1954) 5 Rupees, graded PMG 58 Choice About Uncirculated. Click images to enlarge.

Country: Mauritius

Catalog Number: Pick# (Standard Catalog of World Paper Money) 27

Date: ND (1954)

Denomination: 5 Rupees

Varieties: PMG has graded several specimens and color trial specimens of this note.

What makes it special? April 22 is Earth Day, a time when many people reflect on conservation efforts. The dodo, a bird that went extinct over 300 years ago, is often cited as an example of what can happen as a result of poor environmental stewardship. The bird was native only to Mauritius, and it can be seen at the left of the island nation's coat of arms on the back of this note.

Did you know? Home to more than a million people, Mauritius is located in the Indian Ocean, to the east of Madagascar. Considered the easternmost part of Africa, it gained its freedom from the United Kingdom in 1968.

Total graded by PMG: PMG has graded 131 of Pick# 27, as well as 4 specimens and 11 color trial specimens.

PMG median grade: PMG 64 Choice Uncirculated.

PMG highest graded: PMG 67 Superb Gem Uncirculated EPQ

Sales highlights: In April 2020, an example graded PMG 67 Superb Gem Uncirculated EPQ realized $870 at a Heritage Auctions sale. In October 2019, an example graded PMG 45 Choice Extremely Fine realized $150 at a Heritage Auctions sale.

PMG Registry: This note is part of two sets: Mauritius, 1907-Date, P16-Date, Type Set, Issued Notes and Government of Mauritius Set, 1907-1954, P16-P29A, Complete, Including Varieties. ASH-BOSS has sets that top each of these, with the Pick# 27 slot filled in both.

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PMG's Featured Note of the Month: Mauritius 5 Rupees

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