British India, one rupee note, inscribed and acquired by a US soldier 2013.442.13 back
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Washington, United States
One rupee note issued under the British Raj as an emergency wartime measure in 1940 acquired by James (Jim) Kirkebo. The 1 rupee note had been discontinued in 1934, but paper currency in small denominations was needed as people hoarded metal coins. Kirkebo served in the US Army from 1940-1945, including combat duty in Europe from December 1944-May 1945. Kirkebo, 19, enlisted in 1940 and, in August 1942, 2nd Lt. Kirkebo became commanding officer, C Company, 21st Armored Infantry Battalion, 11th Armored Division. In December 1944, Kirkebo's unit landed in Normandy, defended Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge, and spearheaded the Allied advance into Germany. Kirkebo received a battlefield promotion to captain on February 1, 1945. On May 5 and 6, soldiers from the 11th Armored liberated Gusen and Mauthausen concentration camps. At Mauthausen, the unit was tasked with caring for 19,000 starving inmates. On May 7, 1945, Germany surrendered. Kirkebo was awarded a Silver Star and 3 Bronze Stars for his leadership and heroism in action.
One rupee note issued under the British Raj as an emergency wartime measure in 1940 acquired by James (Jim) Kirkebo. The 1 rupee note had been discontinued in 1934, but paper currency in small denominations was needed as people hoarded metal coins. Kirkebo served in the US Army from 1940-1945, including combat duty in Europe from December 1944-May 1945. Kirkebo, 19, enlisted in 1940 and, in August 1942, 2nd Lt. Kirkebo became commanding officer, C Company, 21st Armored Infantry Battalion, 11th Armored Division. In December 1944, Kirkebo's unit landed in Normandy, defended Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge, and spearheaded the Allied advance into Germany. Kirkebo received a battlefield promotion to captain on February 1, 1945. On May 5 and 6, soldiers from the 11th Armored liberated Gusen and Mauthausen concentration camps. At Mauthausen, the unit was tasked with caring for 19,000 starving inmates. On May 7, 1945, Germany surrendered. Kirkebo was awarded a Silver Star and 3 Bronze Stars for his leadership and heroism in action.
- Title: British India, one rupee note, inscribed and acquired by a US soldier 2013.442.13 back
- Provenance: The currency was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2013 by Jamie Kirkebo, on behalf of the Estate of his father, James Edward Kirkebo., The currency was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2013 by Jamie Kirkebo, on behalf of the Estate of his father, James Edward Kirkebo.
- Subject Keywords: Soldiers--United States--Biography. World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Western Front--Biography. World War, 1939-1945--Concentration camps--Liberation--Personal narratives. World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American., Soldiers--United States--Biography. World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Western Front--Biography. World War, 1939-1945--Concentration camps--Liberation--Personal narratives. World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American.
- Type: Exchange Media, Exchange Media
- Rights: Permanent Collection, Permanent Collection
- External Link: See the full record at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, See the full record at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
- Medium: Rectangular, 1 rupee paper currency in blue, green, and light orange ink. The face has a wavy geometric background with the denomination 1 in the top corners. On the left is an archway with a watermarked portrait of the Emperor. In the center is the denomination One Rupee 1 and the serial number, over an underprint flourish and denomination 1 ONE RUPEE. On the right is a vignette of the rupee coin, with the profile of George VI King Emperor crowned. The reverse has a rectangle with a scalloped border. On the left is the reverse of the rupee coin, on a pedestal frame with the denomination 1 ONE RUPEE. In the center is a column with the denomination in 7 native languages of British India. On the left is a rectangular frame with a watermarked, embossed image of the Emperor's portrait, with the initials GRI at the top. There is a handwritten inscription on the front. The note is discolored, creased, and soiled., Rectangular, 1 rupee paper currency in blue, green, and light orange ink. The face has a wavy geometric background with the denomination 1 in the top corners. On the left is an archway with a watermarked portrait of the Emperor. In the center is the denomination One Rupee 1 and the serial number, over an underprint flourish and denomination 1 ONE RUPEE. On the right is a vignette of the rupee coin, with the profile of George VI King Emperor crowned. The reverse has a rectangle with a scalloped border. On the left is the reverse of the rupee coin, on a pedestal frame with the denomination 1 ONE RUPEE. In the center is a column with the denomination in 7 native languages of British India. On the left is a rectangular frame with a watermarked, embossed image of the Emperor's portrait, with the initials GRI at the top. There is a handwritten inscription on the front. The note is discolored, creased, and soiled.
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