Bangladeshi Taka - Banknotes

Banknotes

Prior to the civil war, banknotes of the State Bank of Pakistan circulated throughout Bangladesh, and continued to be used in Bangladesh even after independence. During the war, it was an unofficial practice of some Bengalis to protest Pakistani rule by stamping banknotes with Bengali DESH as two words in either Bengali or English. These locally produced stamps are known to exist in several varieties, as are forgeries, so be suspicious of fresh stamps on old notes, bi-lingual stamps, or stamps on notes with Karachi or Lahore imprints instead of Dhaka. On 8 June 1971, the Pakistani government declared that all banknotes bearing such stamps ceased to be legal tender. Furthermore, to prevent looted high-denomination notes from disrupting the Pakistani economy, the government also withdrew the legal tender status of all 100- and 500-rupee notes.

These were followed in 1972 by treasury notes for 1 taka and notes of the Bangladesh Bank for 5, 10 and 100 taka. In 1975, banknotes for 50 taka were introduced, followed by 500 taka in 1977 and 20 taka in 1980. 1 taka treasury notes were issued until 1984, with 2 taka treasury notes introduced in 1989.

In 2000, the government issued polymer 10 taka notes as an experiment (similar to the Australian dollar). They proved unpopular, however, and were withdrawn later. At present, the 1 taka and 5 taka notes are gradually being replaced with coins.

In 2008, the government issued 1000 taka notes.

In 2011, Bangladesh Bank began issuing a new series of banknotes denominated in 2, 5, 100, 500, and 1000-taka. All are dated 2011 and feature a portrait and watermark of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, along the National Martyr's Monument in Savar at center front.

In 2011, Bangladesh Bank introduced a 40-taka note to commemorate the "40th Victory Anniversary of Bangladesh". The commemorative note features a portrait of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the National Martyr's Monument in Savar on front, and six armed men on back. Curiously, this note has an electrotype 10 in the watermark, indicating it was likely printed on extra 10-taka banknote paper.

On February 15, 2012, Bangladesh Bank has introduced a 60-taka note to commemorate "60 years of National Movement". The commemorative note measures 130 x 60mm and features the Shaeed Minar (Martyrs' monument) in Dhaka and five men on the back. Like the 40-taka commemorative note, this note has an electrotype 50 in the watermark. It was likely printed on extra 50-taka banknote paper.

Bangladesh Bank plans to introduce new notes denominated in 10, 20, and 50-taka on March 7, 2012. The notes bear the portrait of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the National Martyr's Monument in Savar on the front. On the back of the notes, the 10-taka will picture the Baitul Mukarram mosque, the 20-taka pictures the Shat Gombuk mosque in Bagherat, and the 50-taka notes feature Shilpacharya Jainul Abedin's famous painting “Ploughing.”

Bangladesh Bank has withdrawn the new 50-taka note after a spelling mistake of Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin which was identified on the back of the note. The note had just been introduced on March 7, so it is likely that very few made it into circulation, even though 2.25 crore pieces were printed.

Bangladesh Bank issued the withdrawn 50-taka note on July 15, 2012 after correcting the spelling mistake of Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin which was identified on the back of the note. The corrected note is identical to the withdrawn note, except for the date (2012 vs. 2011) and the caption on the back.