1 A simple one to start with, and try answering without opening your purse. In which Indian banknote do you see a view from Mount Harriet National Park in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands?

2 The highest-ever cheque physically cut, signed and cashed was worth $9 billion and made out by Japanese investment bank Mitsubishi UFJ for a 21 per cent ownership stake. In which financial organisation, struggling at the time, did they invest?

3 In the 20th century, the rupee was the currency in many other States including Kenya, Uganda and Mauritius. In which three countries was it replaced as the official currency as late as 1966 after a round of devaluation? If it helps, they were all from the same geographical region.

4 Which specific type of seed was used as currency by Mayan and Aztec civilisations?

5 What was first installed in Enfield Town North London on June 27, 1967 and inaugurated by English comedy star Reg Varney?

6 Which 20th-century personality spent almost $2,500 each month on rubber bands to organise his currency notes and once burnt up currency worth $2 million to keep his daughter warm during an illness?

7 In 1902, why did Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh of Jaipur have 14,000 silver coins melted and refashioned into sterling silver vessels, some of the largest in the world?

8 What nickname for the southern states of the US is believed to have originated from currency first issued by a bank in New Orleans, whose $10 bills had ‘ten’ written in French on the reverse?

9 The most recent Forbes list of richest fictional characters is topped by Scrooge McDuck, who made his money from mining and treasure hunting, and includes the likes of Ironman Tony Stark who made his fortune in defence. Who on the list, with an estimated $8.6 billion made his money from “marauding”?

10 Since 1953, the regional bank Credito Emiliano in North Italy has accepted a curious collateral for small business loans, something which is also one of the most famous products of the area. Their initiative is a case study in Harvard Business School. What do they accept?

Answers

1. The ₹20 note. The ₹50-note depicts the parliament and the ₹100 note shows a view of the Himalayas

2. Morgan Stanley, in 2008 at the height of the global meltdown. For a variety of reasons, they could not use the normal transfer procedure

3. Oman, Qatar and the UAE

4. The cacao bean, which was also used to make a bitter drink called xocolate, later exported back to Europe with the Spanish as chocolate. A rabbit could be traded for 10 beans, while around 100 were needed to buy a slave

5. The first ATM. It was made by Barclays bank

6. Pablo Escobar, the Columbian drug lord. The revelations were made by his accountant, who wrote a book about his experiences

7. They were created to carry Ganga jal on his trip to England for the coronation of King Edward VII

8. Dixie States, from dix, 10 in French

9. Smaug the dragon, from The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien

10. The local Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Its value, apparently, increases with ageing

Joy Bhattacharjyais a quizmaster and Project Director, FIFA U-17 World Cup

Follow Joy on Twitter @joybhattacharj

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