Updated 28 September 2026 · 64 verified auction results
The ₹5 'tractor' note (a farmer ploughing with a tractor on the back) was printed from the mid-1970s until 2002 under seven RBI governors — K.R. Puri, I.G. Patel, Manmohan Singh, R.N. Malhotra, S. Venkitaramanan, C. Rangarajan and Bimal Jalan. Hundreds of millions were issued and it is still one of the most common old notes in Indian homes.
An ordinary tractor note is worth roughly ₹20–₹100 depending on condition. The thousands-of-rupees prices you see on social media are real — but only for specific notes: fancy serial numbers, printing errors and crisp early signatories. Below are actual auction results from our archive so you can compare yours.
| Ordinary used tractor note (any signatory, random serial) | ₹20–₹100. Folded, stained or torn notes sit at the bottom of that range. Bundles of 100 consecutive notes trade higher per note. |
| Uncirculated (crisp, unfolded) — later signatories | ₹100–₹500 each; more for consecutive bundles. |
| Early signatories in UNC — K.R. Puri (1975–77), I.G. Patel | ₹1,000–₹5,000 for crisp examples; Puri 'without inset' notes are the scarcest. |
| Fancy serial numbers — 786, 000001, 111111, 123456, 1000000 | ₹5,000–₹35,000 at auction; a Puri-signed fancy number reached ₹34,000 (CNG, 2026). |
| Printing errors and misprints — cutting shifts, missing print, dual errors | ₹5,000–₹15,000+ depending on how dramatic the error is. |
72 matching lots, 64 with a published price · lowest ₹1,900 · median ₹7,500 · highest ₹65,000. Click a lot to see the photo, auction and date.
Prices are hammer prices at Indian numismatic auction houses; a private sale or dealer offer is normally lower. Search the full archive for any coin or note.
Collectors pay for serial numbers that are memorable: 786 (any position, best as 000786 or 786786), solid numbers (111111…999999), ladders (123456), radars (123321), 000001 and 1000000. The premium is for the number, not the tractor design — the same serials on a ₹10 or ₹20 note fetch similar money.
The governor's signature is printed on the front below the RBI seal. Early K.R. Puri notes (1975–77) have no inset letter in the serial number panel; later prints carry inset letters A, B, etc. Condition matters more than the name for the common signatories — a limp Manmohan Singh note is a ₹20 item, a crisp one is a ₹200 item.
Fancy numbers, errors and crisp early signatories sell well at numismatic auctions (Classical Numismatic Gallery, Todywalla, Jain, Bombay Auctions, KNG) and on collector marketplaces. Ordinary tractor notes are not worth a buyer's time — beware anyone offering lakhs and asking for a fee first. Full guide: how to sell old coins and notes in India, or send us a photo for a free opinion.
आम इस्तेमाल किया हुआ ट्रैक्टर नोट ₹20–₹100 का है। हज़ारों रुपये सिर्फ़ ख़ास नोटों के मिलते हैं — 786 या 000001 जैसे फ़ैंसी नंबर, छपाई की गलती वाले नोट, और K.R. Puri / I.G. Patel के हस्ताक्षर वाले एकदम नए नोट (नीलामी में ₹1,000 से ₹35,000 तक)। RBI नोट नहीं खरीदता; 'रजिस्ट्रेशन फ़ीस' माँगने वाला खरीदार ठग है।
What is the value of a 5 rupee tractor note?
An ordinary used tractor note is worth about ₹20–₹100. Crisp early signatories, 786/solid/ladder serial numbers and printing errors have sold for ₹1,000 to ₹35,000 at auction.
Is the tractor note with 786 valuable?
Yes — 786 serials carry a premium. Verified auction results for tractor notes with fancy numbers range from about ₹5,000 to ₹35,000 depending on the number and signatory.
Does the RBI buy old 5 rupee tractor notes?
No. The RBI does not buy notes from the public. 'RBI-approved buyer' ads that ask for a registration or GST fee are scams.
Which tractor note signatory is rarest?
K.R. Puri (1975–77), especially notes without an inset letter, followed by I.G. Patel. Later signatories are common.
Related: How to sell old coins in India · Vaishno Devi ₹5 coin value · Auction archive — search any note
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