World’s biggest collector of Indian Paper Money, Rezwan Razack opens South India’s first currency Museum

·       With a collection that is unrivalled, and considered to be the most comprehensive in the world today, Rezwan wants to leave behind a legacy that showcases the rich history of India’s journey in currency

07 February 2020, Bengaluru: Rezwan Razack, co-founder and Joint MD of the Prestige Group, one of India’s largest and most successful real estate developers, is all set to unveil South India’s first Museum on currency – ‘Rezwan Razack’s Museum of Indian Paper Money’. Currently, the world’s biggest collector of Indian Paper Money, Rezwan’s collection has been built over 50 years with exhaustive research, culminating in him co-authoring an encyclopedic book, ‘The Revised Standard Reference Guide to Indian Paper Money’, released in 2012.  It is today considered the Bible for Indian Paper Money.  In 2017, Rezwan authored a second book ‘One Rupee - One Hundred Years 1917-2017’ to mark the 100^th Anniversary of the issue of the One Rupee note in India. 

‘Rezwan Razack’s Museum of Indian Paper Money’ will open on Saturday – 15 February 2020. Dr. C. Rangarajan - former Governor, Reserve Bank of India will inaugurate the Museum. Located on the 2^nd floor of Prestige Falcon Towers, in the heart of Bengaluru’s CBD area, the Museum will have trained guides to take visitors through the history of currency in India.  

Commenting on this momentous occasion, Mr. Rezwan Razack said, “The story of money is woven into our very being, uniting us, dividing us, giving us a sense of identity and indeed mapping people or the nation’s powers, progress, crises and triumphs. This is my attempt to leave behind a legacy that showcases the rich history of India’s journey in currency.  I consider it a comprehensive restoration and preservation of an important national heritage.  It is also something that numismatists worldwide will benefit from in a large measure. I am very happy that I have been able to realize this dream.”

“Through this initiative, my aim is to educate, inform and entertain visitors with this unusual medium, one that is ever present in our lives but never seen as a source of history, information and national pride. I hope visitors understand, enjoy and value this Museum of our collective economic heritage, experienced through this unique monetary treasure.”, he added.

Adding to this, Mr. Bazil Shaikh - Author and former Secretary, Reserve Bank of India said, “Rezwan Razack’s Museum of Indian Paper Money puts together one of the most comprehensive collections of Indian paper money anywhere in the world – and, with a display to match! Both the collection and the presentation are testimony to the love, passion, energy and pointed dedication that have gone into its creation. The Museum very cogently weaves together the delightful story of paper money in India - admirably straddling the twin concerns of paper conservation and contemporary viewer needs. Stimulating the curious mind, it displays compelling content for multiple visits. Money is a subject that both fascinates and mystifies: and, we trust this individual and team effort will not only give Bangaluru a new tourist spot, but will firmly establish it onto the map of Money museums around the world!”

About ‘Rezwan Razack’s Museum of Indian Paper Money’

‘Rezwan Razack’s Museum of Indian Paper Money’ displays one of the finest collections of Indian Paper Money and related material drawn from the Indian subcontinent. 

While the concept of money has existed since almost the beginnings of civilization, the invention of paper currency is more recent. ‘Rezwan Razack’s Museum of Indian Paper Money’ will orient the visitor with the history of Indian Paper Money and trace its ancient beginnings. From the early barter systems and the use of coins as currency, the Museum will introduce the visitor to paper currency, its origins and its usage. 

This world-class collection is outstanding for its depth and diversity. It includes a superlative selection of banknotes dating back to the early 1800s, early Private and Presidency Banks, including the uniface or one-sided notes attributed to the colonial Government of India. The portrait notes of British monarchs such as Queen Victoria, King George V and VI are present while India’s colonial history has been aptly documented in the notes from French India, Portuguese India. From Princely States of Hyderabad, Jammu and Kashmir and Saurashtra States, Cash Coupons, Prisoners of War Coupons to Indian notes issued in the 19^th century, the museum will map the shifting kaleidoscope of history through the medium of currency in the Indian subcontinent. Indian Notes used in Burma and Pakistan and rare notes used in the Persian Gulf States and by Haj pilgrims are valuable additions. A sweeping array of current Indian notes are also on view.

An auxiliary collection has also been painstakingly put together to explain the inspirations and techniques of making paper currency. While original hand-painted essays, patterns, proofs, trials, specimen notes, autographed notes and a rare Star of India Medal demonstrate fascinating aspects of money, meticulously sourced cheques, stamp papers relating to Indian Paper Money, booklets and banknotes help decode the ubiquitous world of money.

The Museum has been planned meticulously over three years to conform to international standards of lighting and climate control that will help preserve this precious national legacy.

About Rezwan Razack

Rezwan Razack is the Co-Founder and Joint Managing Director of the Prestige Group.  He has played a pivotal role in the company’s growth over the years. 

Rezwan is passionate about collecting Indian Paper Money.  He is the Chairman of the International Bank Note Society – India Banknote Collectors’ Chapter.  He has been awarded by IBNS for his significant contribution to The Advancement of Numismatic Knowledge for his article titled, ‘Banknotes of Portuguese India’.  The IBNS has also conferred Rezwan with the Literary Achievement Award and the “Fred Philipson Award” Honorable Mention for his article in the Journal.

Rezwan shares his knowledge with students and encourages budding collectors to promote numismatics as a hobby. He writes regularly on Indian Paper Money for numismatic publications in India and overseas.