10 makuta 1970

Common. eBay sales data from 2012-2024 shows consistent trading in the $5-$23.50 range depending on condition grade, with numerous transactions across multiple condition grades (VG through UNC). The 2019 catalog value of $60 for UNC and $12.50 for VF indicates this is a widely available note with steady collector demand but no scarcity premium. The regular issue status, long production period (1967-1970), and Thomas De La Rue printing of a stable, non-recalled series all indicate substantial print runs. This AU specimen, while attractive and well-preserved, does not command premium prices relative to other grades.

This banknote was issued during the early years of Joseph-Désiré Mobutu's rule in the Democratic Republic of Congo, following the country's tumultuous post-independence period. The prominence of Mobutu's portrait and the depiction of the Tata Raphael stadium—a symbol of national development and Congolese progress—reflects the government's nation-building messaging of the early 1970s. The inclusion of the National Assembly building on the reverse further emphasizes institutional authority and governmental continuity during a period of consolidation of power.

The obverse features a left-facing portrait of President Joseph-Désiré Mobutu Sese Seko Nkuku wa za Banga, depicted wearing rectangular eyeglasses and formal attire with a patterned jacket, positioned on the right side of the note. The left portion contains an illustration of the Tata Raphael stadium in Kinshasa with its distinctive oval architecture and football field, labeled with the issue date. The design employs a light blue-green background with pink and gold accents in the stadium illustration, creating visual hierarchy. The reverse displays the National Assembly building of Kinshasa—a classical multi-story institutional structure with white facade and regular window patterns, set in landscaped grounds with trees and vegetation. Both sides feature fine crosshatch pattern borders and decorative spiral/curved line motifs in the margins, typical of high-security banknote design. The BNC logo/emblem appears on the obverse.

FRONT: 'BANQUE NATIONALE DU CONGO' (National Bank of Congo); 'DIX MAKUTA' (Ten Makuta); '10' and 'MAKUTA' (denomination); 'LE GOUVERNEUR' (The Governor); '21.I.1970' (Issue date: 21 January 1970); Serial number 'FV056371'; 'LE CONTREFACTEUR EST PUNI DE SERVITUDE PENALE' (Counterfeiting is punished by penal servitude). BACK: 'BANQUE NATIONALE' (National Bank); 'DU CONGO' (of Congo); '10 MAKUTA' (denomination); 'THOMAS DE LA RUE & COMPANY, LIMITED' (British security printer).

Intaglio engraving with multi-color offset printing on the obverse (light blue-green base with pink and gold highlights) and cream/beige with blue-gray accents on the reverse. The note was produced by Thomas De La Rue & Company, Limited, London—the premier British security printer—as indicated on the reverse. Fine line crosshatch patterns, intricate portrait engraving, and detailed architectural illustrations are characteristic of high-quality intaglio work. Security features include fine-line engraving throughout, complex architectural detailing, and decorative geometric patterns.

This specific note is dated 21.I.1970 (21 January 1970) and represents the final year variant of the Pick-9 series. The visual analysis indicates this is the standard obverse type with the stadium illustration and Mobutu portrait. Per PMG cataloging, variant P-9a represents 10 Makuta notes printed by TDLR (Thomas De La Rue), confirming this note falls within the documented TDLR printing variety. Multiple date variants exist within the 1967-1970 issue period (documented as 1967, 1.9.1968, 14.1.1970, and 21.1.1970); this example represents the latest recorded date variant, which may be slightly less common than earlier dates but remains within normal circulation.