On 27th July the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) clarified that banknotes with a star (*) symbol are legal and valid currency. The star symbol indicates that the banknote is a replacement or reprinted note for defectively printed ones in a packet of 100 pieces of serially numbered currency notes. This star series numbering system was adopted by the RBI for such replacement banknotes.
The star symbol is placed in the number panel of the banknote, between the prefix and the serial number, to identify it as a replacement note. These star series notes are similar to other banknotes, except for the presence of the star symbol in their serial numbers. This clarification came in response to discussions on social media about the validity of banknotes with the star symbol.
Until August 2006, fresh banknotes issued by the Reserve Bank of India were serially numbered, meaning each note had a unique serial number. Additionally, these banknotes had a prefix consisting of numerals and letters, which further helped to distinguish them from one another.
Official copy of the clarification made by RBI is as follows
It has come to the notice of the Reserve Bank that the validity of banknotes with a Star (*) symbol present on the number panel has recently been the subject of discussions on some social media platforms.
In this connection, it is informed that the Star (*) symbol is inserted in the number panel of a banknote that is used as a replacement for defectively printed banknotes in a packet of 100 pieces of serially numbered banknotes. A banknote with a Star (*) symbol is identical to any other legal banknote, except that in the number panel, a Star (*) symbol is added between the prefix and the serial number. The Star (*) symbol is an identifier that is a replaced/reprinted banknote. Information about the “Star Series” banknotes is available on the RBI website as part of FAQs on Indian Currency (Question 9 of Section B).
(Yogesh Dayal)
Chief General Manager
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