The problem of the errors in the wording or dating of our currencies is not limited to the metal currency - the problem persisted even in our paper currencies. Look at the following earliest three paper currencies issued in 1974: Nu.1.00, Nu.5.00 and Nu.10.00:
If you notice, the declaration of promise made on the bank notes read as follows:
“Chaang Khen La Nguel Ki Rup Chu Tham Toi Jui Khelang Yoed”
“Promise Is Made To Pay The Bearer A Sum Of Rup Ten”
There are two problems with these promises:
This promise is made by “Ngueltsi Leykhung” - Department of Finance. The note is signed by Her Royal Highness Ashi Sonam Choden Wangchuck who was then His Majesty’s Representative in the Ministry of Finance. Thus, it should have been “Ngueltsi Lhenkhag”.
Mischief was intended when the term “Rup” was inserted because the Bhutanese monetary unit of “Ngultrums” and “Chetrums” were already coined by 1974. Thus the promissory note should have read:
“Chaang Khen La Nguel Ki Ngultrum Chu Tham Toi Jui Khelang Yoed”
“Promise Is Made To Pay The Bearer A Sum Of Ngultrums Ten”
The next paper money was issued in 1978. They are not without mistakes either. The first Nu.100 note had rather perplexing markings - the monetary unit on the obverse of the note does not match the one on the reverse:
Bhutan's first Nu.100.00 bank note issued in 1978
The monetary unit printed on the obverse of the note reads:
“Chaang Khen La Nguel Ki Rup Chig Ja Toi Jui Khelang Yoed”
“Promise Is Made To Pay The Bearer A Sum Of Rup One Hundred”
The spelling of "Chig" (one) is also wrongly spelt.
Strangely the reverse of the note marks the denomination as 100 Nu
ONE HUNDRED NGULTRUMS is also perfectly spelt!
Other currency notes issued in 1978 were: Nu. 1, Nu. 2, Nu.5, Nu.20, and Nu.50. They had the following problems:
The currency notes of 1978 full of mistakes
The Bank notes are marked as issued by “Pelden Druk Zhung” – Royal Government of Bhutan. But it is signed by the then Deputy Managing Director of the Bank of Bhutan, Mr. Yeshey Dorji. But fortunately for this series of notes, the declaration of promise is worded correctly:
“Chaang Khen La Nguel Ki Ngultrum Nga Toi Jui Khelang Yoed”
“Promise Is Made To Pay The Bearer A Sum Of Ngultrums Five”
The other inconsistency is the manner of numbering the notes of this series. They are numbered with prefix: A/1, B/1, C/1, E/1 and F/1. The number D/1 is missing - no idea why.
As of 1985, the Royal Monetary Authority started the issue of the currency notes and they were signed thereafter by the successive Chairmen/Managing Directors/Governors of the RMA:
Among the first currency notes issued by the Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan was this Nu.100.00 note released in 1985.
Until the year 2003, His Majesty's Representative in the Ministry of Finance, the Deputy Managing Director of the Bank of Bhutan and the Chairmen/Managing Directors/Governors of the Royal Monetary of Authority of Bhutan promised to guarantee the payment of the value of the sum mentioned on the bank note. The following series of notes seem to be the last where the promise to pay was made:
As of 2006 issue, that promise has been quietly withdrawn and the bank notes to this day do not carry that guarantee, leading one to wonder if the money is worth anything at all, in the absence of a signed promise. 😂😂😂😂:
As of 2006 issue, that promise has been quietly withdrawn and the bank notes to this day do not carry that guarantee, leading one to wonder if the money is worth anything at all, in the absence of a signed promise. 😂😂😂😂:
A comparison of the two Nu.500 notes - one carrying the promise and the other without it:
The bank note on the top is that of 1994 issue where there is a declaration of promise to pay. The one on the bottom is that of 2006, where the promise goes missing. Both the currencies were issued by the Central Bank - Royal Monetary of Bhutan.
In the Nu.500.00 note of 1994, it is made to appear as if Lyonpo Dorji Tshering was the Chairman of Ngultrums Nga Ja Thamba. As you can see that illusion is corrected in the later note of 2006 signed by Lyonpo Wangdi Norbu.
Bhutan's highest denominated bank notes:
Nu.500.00
Nu. 1,000.00
NOTE:
For the first and last time, Bhutan's bank notes were printed at the India Security Press, in 1974. Thereafter, notes released in and after 1978 to date are printed by the Thomas De La Rue & Co. Ltd. of the United Kingdom.
Just once in 1989, another security printer was used: Korea Minting and Security Printing Corporation (KOMSCO).
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