10 afghanis 1961

Common. Despite the historical interest of this Afghan royal-era note, market data from eBay sales spanning 2009–2025 demonstrates consistent trading in the $3–$34 range, with most UNC examples selling between $4–$20. No evidence of restricted print runs, recalls, or scarcity appears in the catalog or market data. The note is readily available in the collector market and does not command premium pricing typical of scarce or rare issues.

This note was issued during the reign of King Muhammad Zahir Shah (r. 1933–1973), Afghanistan's last reigning monarch, during a period of relative modernization and stability in the country. The inclusion of the Mosque of Khwajeh Muhammad Abu-Nasr Parsa, a significant Sufi shrine and cultural landmark in Balkh in northern Afghanistan, reflects the nation's Islamic heritage and historical importance. The 1961 date (SH 1340 in the Afghan solar calendar) places this within the mid-20th century era before the political upheavals that would later transform Afghanistan.

The obverse features a formal three-quarter profile portrait of King Muhammad Zahir Shah positioned at the left side, depicted in military formal dress with shoulder insignia, rendered in fine engraved detail against a brown and mauve colored background. The reverse showcases a detailed architectural engraving of the Mosque of Khwajeh Muhammad Abu-Nasr Parsa, characterized by its prominent dome, minaret-like tower, ornate arched entrance gate, and intricate architectural ornamentation, centered on a tan and beige field. Both sides employ decorative Islamic geometric patterns and guilloche borders in corner frames, with the national emblem or coat of arms visible on the obverse. The denomination appears in both English ('AFGHANIS') and Eastern Arabic numerals ('۱۰') on both sides, with all text rendered in Dari/Pashto script and English.

Front side: 'دافغانستان بانک' (Da Afghanistan Bank / Bank of Afghanistan); '۱۰' (10 in Eastern Arabic numerals); 'AFGHANIS' (English denomination); Serial number '۲۲۷۲۱۸' visible on note. Back side: '10 AFGHANIS' (English denomination); 'دافغانستان بانک' (Da Afghanistan Bank / Bank of Afghanistan); Decorative Islamic calligraphy and text panels frame the architectural monument but are not fully legible in provided images.

Intaglio engraving (recess printing), executed by Thomas de la Rue, London, a premier British security printer. The note exhibits characteristic fine line work, detailed portraiture, complex guilloche patterns, and multi-color printing typical of De la Rue's production standards. The intricate engraved details visible in both the portrait and architectural elements, combined with the precision of the decorative borders, are hallmarks of professional intaglio security printing.

This note corresponds to Pick P-37, the regular 1961 issue of the 10 afghanis denomination. The visual analysis indicates this is the third portrait variety of King Muhammad Zahir as noted in the realbanknotes.com reference. The PMG population report indicates one catalogued variant for this base Pick number. Serial number '۲۲۷۲۱۸' is visible on the observed specimen, though no printing variations, signature varieties, or overprints are apparent from the images provided. This appears to be a standard printing without remarkable variety characteristics.