Mauritius 1940 - Government of Mauritius 1 Rupee Uncut Pair Remainder (Pick 26r1)
The left side of each note contains the coat of arms of Mauritius within a tall rectangular ornamental panel. The arms are supported by two distinctive animals closely associated with Mauritius: a dodo at left and a sambar deer at right. Between them is the quartered shield incorporating the principal heraldic devices of Mauritius, including a sailing ship, palm trees, a key and a star. Vegetal ornament rises above the shield, while the ribbon below carries the Latin motto STELLA CLAVISQUE MARIS INDICI, identifying Mauritius heraldically as the star and key of the Indian Ocean. The survival of the dodo as a heraldic supporter is particularly characteristic of Mauritian national imagery and gives the left panel an immediately recognizable local identity. Read more →