World Banknote Auctions offers East African Rarities

The 1921 series also includes a 1 Rupee (of the same design as the 1920 issue but now as 1 Shilling), a 5 Shillings, 10 Shillings, 20 Shillings, 100 Shillings, 200 Shillings (offered by World Banknote Auctions), 1000 Shillings and 10,000 Shillings. While the lower denominations no doubt circulated in general commerce, it is believed that the higher denominations were reserved for larger transactions and interbank transfers, as they represented large sums of money that would have little use in day-to-day transactions. Later issues under King George VI would include a 1000 Shillings and 10,000 Shillings (both extremely rare) but the 200 Shillings offered in this sale would be the last of that denomination issued in British East Africa. To further illustrate the lack of demand for high denominations, the last two series issued under Queen Elizabeth II would no longer include denominations above 100 Shillings (or 5 Pounds).