In a remarkable auction held in London a Rs 100 Indian currency note received an astonishing Rs 5649650. This note issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in the 1950s with the serial number HA 078400. Why Is This Note Special? This was no ordinary note; it was part of a special series known as the Haj Notes. During the mid-20th century the RBI issued these notes specifically for Indian pilgrims traveling to Gulf countries for the Hajj pilgrimage. The purpose was to prevent the illegal purchase of gold using regular Indian currency. Features Of ‘Haj Notes’: Serial Number Prefix: These notes featured a unique HA prefix making them easily identifiable. Color Variation: They differed in color from standard Indian currency notes. Limited Legal Tender: While they were legal tender in certain Gulf countries where the Indian rupee was accepted such as the United Arab Emirates Qatar Bahrain Kuwait and Oman they were not valid within India. Historical Context: In 1961 Kuwait introduced its own currency followed by other Gulf nations. Consequently the issuance of Haj Notes was discontinued in the 1970s. Today these notes are considered rare and hold significant value among currency collectors with their worth depending on factors like condition and rarity. Rs 10 Notes Fetched Over Rs 12 Lakhs  In another auction in London two old Rs 10 notes fetched extraordinary prices of Rs 6.90 lakh for one and Rs 5.80 lakh for the other. These notes are no ordinary currency but linked to the historical era making them highly coveted. The notes issued on May 25 1918 carry immense historical value as they date back to the final years of World War I. Adding to their allure is their connection to the ill-fated British ship SS Shirala. On July 2 1918 the SS Shirala was torpedoed by a German U-boat leading to its sinking. The shipwreck and its ties to wartime history make these notes exceptionally significant. Remarkable Preservation What makes these notes truly extraordinary is their state of preservation despite being submerged in seawater for over a century. The notes remained in remarkably good condition due to their position within tightly packed bundles which shielded them from direct exposure to the sea. Additionally the superior quality of paper used to print these notes played a crucial role in their survival. Such preservation is rare for notes from the early 20th century further elevating their value and appeal to collectors and historians.