10 dollars 1947

Common. The 1930-1948 series of which this note is a part was produced in substantial quantities during a 18-year period. Market data from eBay sales shows examples in similar grades (F to VF) consistently selling in the $8-$31 range, with VG catalog values pegged at $5 (2016). The regular issue designation and lack of premium pricing at auction confirm this is a commonly encountered note among collectors, despite its age and the wear observed.

Issued during the post-World War II reconstruction period, this 1947 note represents the Hong Kong & Shanghai Banking Corporation's re-establishment of financial authority following the Japanese occupation. The Ceres allegory on the obverse symbolizes abundance and commercial prosperity, while the architectural rendering of the HSBC building on the reverse served as a symbol of institutional stability and colonial commercial power during Hong Kong's recovery and re-integration into British administration.

The obverse features a portrait of Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture and prosperity, depicted in classical style within an ornate circular medallion frame on the left side, symbolizing commercial abundance and growth. The reverse showcases a grand colonial-style institutional building (the Hong Kong & Shanghai Banking Corporation headquarters) rendered in fine architectural detail with classical columns, palm trees, and a prominent dome, framed within decorative borders. Both sides incorporate intricate guilloche patterns, corner ornaments, floral and geometric decorative elements, and a winged allegorical figure at the top of the reverse. The color scheme of dark green on multicolor underprint (pink/rose, beige, yellow/gold accents) is characteristic of this series. The design employs bilingual text (English and Chinese) reflecting the colonial administration's acknowledgment of the Chinese merchant community.

FRONT: Chinese: '香港上海行銀豐匯' (Hong Kong Shanghai Banking Corporation / The Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corporation). English: 'Promises to pay the Bearer on demand at its Office here Ten Dollars or the equivalent in the Currency of the Colony, Value received. Hongkong 31st March, 1947. By Order of the Board of Directors. Chief Accountant. Chief Manager.' Chinese character: '拾' (Ten). Serial number: 10B896.483 (appears twice). BACK: English: 'The Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corporation. Ten Dollars.' Chinese: '拾' (Ten) in lower corners. The note's bilingual design reflects Hong Kong's dual colonial and Chinese heritage.

Intaglio engraving by Bradbury Wilkinson & Co., Ltd. (BWC), New Malden, Surrey, the premier British security printer of the period. The note exhibits the fine line engraving, complex guilloche patterns, and multi-color printing typical of high-security banknote production. The precision of the portrait work, the intricate border details, and the fine line security patterns visible throughout indicate the advanced intaglio techniques employed by BWC, which were state-of-the-art for mid-20th century currency production.

This specific example is dated 31st March 1947 with serial number 10B896.483. The visual analysis confirms this is from the date variant referenced in the realbanknotes.com catalog (which notes issue dates of 1946, 31.3.1947, and 1.4.1948 for this design). The '10B' prefix suggests the second printing or batch designation. The series exhibits multiple date varieties within the overall Pick P-178d classification, with the 1947 date being one of the standard issue variants.