10 shillings 1957

Common. While this 1957 issue belongs to the earlier Bermuda Government currency series (which predates the 1966 transition to the Bermuda Monetary Authority), eBay transaction data shows consistent market activity with UNC examples trading in the $150–$200 range, indicating steady but not exceptional demand. Print runs for Commonwealth colonies' government issues of this period were substantial. The note is readily available in circulated grades ($12–$40) and moderately available in UNC condition, reflecting normal collecting interest rather than scarcity.

Issued on May 1, 1957, this note represents Bermuda's post-war monetary system under colonial administration. The portraiture of Queen Elizabeth II reflects the island's status as a British Crown dependency, while the depiction of Gate's Fort in St. George's—one of Bermuda's most historically significant fortifications—anchors the design in local heritage. The inclusion of the Bermuda coat of arms on the reverse with its lion and dragon supporters emphasizes the island's heraldic identity within the Commonwealth.

The obverse features a three-quarter profile portrait of Queen Elizabeth II centered in an ornate oval medallion, rendered in the formal style typical of Commonwealth currency of the 1950s. Below the portrait sits Gate's Fort (St. George's), depicted as a fortress structure set within a landscape vignette—a symbolic reference to Bermuda's strategic maritime heritage. The reverse displays the full heraldic achievement of Bermuda: a shield composition with crowned arms flanked by a lion dexter and a dragon sinister as supporters, surrounded by ornamental corner cartouches containing large '10' denominations. The entire design is executed in pink and red with cream, tan, and olive accents, employing ornate scrollwork borders and fine decorative elements characteristic of mid-20th-century British security printing.

Front: 'BERMUDA GOVERNMENT' / 'BERMUDA NOTES ARE THE PAYMENT OF LEGAL TENDER FOR ANY AMOUNT' / 'TEN SHILLINGS' / 'ISSUED UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE BERMUDA LEGISLATURE' / 'HAMILTON, BERMUDA 1ST MAY, 1957' / Serial numbers: 'S/T 685729' and 'S 685729' / Signature lines: 'COLONIAL TREASURER' and 'ASSISTANT COLONIAL TREASURER' / '10/-' (denomination indicator). Back: 'TEN SHILLINGS' / '10' (in corner cartouches) / Heraldic motto: 'Piu uction Droit' (Latin/Old French: 'Justice/Right prevails').

Intaglio engraving (letterpress printing), executed by Bradbury Wilkinson & Co., Ltd., New Malden—a premier British security printer. The note exhibits the fine line work, intricate cross-hatching, and precise detail registration characteristic of intaglio/engraved currency production. Multiple color plates were used to achieve the multi-hued effect observed on both obverse and reverse, with evident careful registration of the portrait, landscape vignette, and heraldic elements.

This note is catalogued as Pick P-19b (1957 issue). The Pick catalog identifies three variants (P-19a, P-19b, P-19c) within this denomination, all printed by Bradbury Wilkinson & Co. The specific variety P-19b is distinguishable by its date (1ST MAY, 1957) and issue authority markings. Serial number S/T 685729 appears to be within a standard range for this variety. No overprints, security overprints, or unusual markings are evident on this example, indicating it represents a standard-issue note from the regular production run rather than a special or commemorative variant.