10 francs 1944

Common. eBay market data shows consistent sales in the $5–$50 range across multiple condition grades from 2011–2021, with VF specimens selling for approximately $37. The catalog value for VF is assessed at $50, indicating a widely available note with modest collector demand. This was a regular issue from a major colonial bank with substantial print runs typical of the period. No evidence of scarcity or short-lived circulation period.

This 1944 issue reflects Belgian Congo's complex wartime and post-war monetary situation, with the fourth emission (VIERDE UITGIFTE) appearing after the territory's separation from occupied Belgium. The engraved scenes—Watussi dancers from Rwanda and the colonial-era Force Publique inspection—celebrate the territory's indigenous cultures and European administrative control, imagery typical of the paternalistic colonial currency design philosophy of the era. The bilingual inscriptions in French and Dutch reflect the linguistic divisions within Belgium and its colonial administration.

The obverse depicts Watussi dancers from Rwanda—female figures with elaborate traditional hairstyles, jewelry, and ceremonial dress arranged in a social gathering scene with a tropical landscape background featuring trees and hills. The reverse shows an inspection scene of the Force Publique (Belgian Congo's colonial military force), with a uniformed colonial officer on the right observing African soldiers in traditional and military dress near a water body with thatched-roof structures. Both sides feature ornamental star designs in the corners marked with '10', geometric diamond patterns forming the decorative border frame, and large watermark security circles (one on each side). The monograms 'CB' and 'BC' appear at the bottom of each side respectively. The color scheme of pink/mauve with dark blue-gray ornamental elements is consistent across both sides.

FRONT (French side): 'Banque du Congo Belge' (Bank of Belgian Congo), 'Dix Francs' (Ten Francs), 'Payables à Vue' (Payable on Sight), Serial number Z574408, 'Première Émission - 1944' (First Issue - 1944), Date '10.06.44' (10 June 1944), 'Le Directeur-Adjoint en Afrique' (The Deputy Director in Africa), 'Le Directeur en Afrique' (The Director in Africa), 'La Loi Punit le Contrefacteur des Travaux Forcés' (The Law Punishes Counterfeiters with Hard Labor). BACK (Dutch side): 'Bank van Belgisch Congo' (Bank of Belgian Congo), 'Tienfrank' (Ten Francs), 'Betaalbaar op Zicht' (Payable on Sight), 'Vierde Uitgifte - 1944' (Fourth Issue - 1944), 'De Adjunct-Directeur voor Afrika' (The Deputy Director for Africa), 'De Directeur voor Afrika' (The Director for Africa), 'De Nmaker Wordt Door de Wet Met Dwangarbeid Gestraft' (The Counterfeiter is Punished by Law with Hard Labor).

Intaglio/engraving printing by Waterlow & Sons (W&S), London, as indicated in the catalog data and confirmed by the fine line engraving details visible throughout the note. The intricate border work, portrait rendering, and security features including the large circular watermark areas are characteristic of Waterlow's high-security banknote production. The detailed landscape backgrounds and figure work demonstrate the precision of early 20th-century intaglio engraving technology.

This specimen is cataloged as Pick P-14D and represents the fourth emission (VIERDE UITGIFTE / QUATRIÈME ÉMISSION - 1944). The visual analysis indicates 'Première Émission - 1944' on the French side and 'Vierde Uitgifte - 1944' on the Dutch side, which may represent bilingual emission labeling rather than a variance. The note features an Okapi head watermark and W&S printer attribution. Known variants of the P-14 base number include P-14Ba, P-14Bs, P-14C, P-14Cs, P-14E, and P-14Es according to PMG records, with P-14D being a distinct variety. Serial number Z574408 suggests this is from the standard circulation series.