10 rupees 1962

Common. This is a standard circulation issue of the Reserve Bank of India with a substantial print run. While the specific variety (P-57a with incorrect Urdu spelling) distinguishes it from later corrected issues, eBay market data shows consistent trading in the $13.50–$32 range for similar grades, with UNC examples selling for approximately $20–$22.50, confirming strong availability in the collector market. The note is regularly encountered in dealer inventories and auction listings, indicating no scarcity premium.

Issued during India's early decades following independence, this banknote celebrates the nation's cultural and historical heritage through its depiction of the Ashoka Pillar (the Lion Capital from Sarnath Museum), India's national emblem, and the traditional sailing dhow representing India's maritime traditions. The 'GUARANTEED BY THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT' text reflects India's post-colonial monetary sovereignty and the Reserve Bank of India's role as the principal monetary authority. This note series represents the transitional period of Indian currency design in the early 1960s, before subsequent revisions corrected printing errors in the Urdu text.

The obverse features the Lion Capital of the Ashoka Pillar (Ashoka Chakra variant with four lions facing outward), mounted prominently on the right side of the note, serving as India's national emblem. The central field displays the large denomination numeral '10' flanked by ornate decorative borders with intricate floral and geometric patterns in the corners and margins. The reverse showcases a detailed engraved maritime scene of a traditional sailing dhow with multiple masts depicted on open water, with distant hills or mountains in the background, rendered in fine line-work typical of intaglio printing. The color scheme employs purple as the dominant hue with brown, green, and cream accents throughout. Both sides include bilingual text in English and Devanagari script, reflecting India's post-independence multilingual monetary policy. The Governor's signature appears on the obverse in the signature block.

Front side: 'RESERVE BANK OF INDIA' (English); 'रिज़र्व बैंक' (Devanagari: Reserve Bank); 'GUARANTEED BY THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT' (English); 'PROMISE TO PAY THE BEARER ON DEMAND THE SUM OF' (English); 'TEN RUPEES' (English); 'AT ANY OFFICE OF ISSUE' (English); 'FOR THE RESERVE BANK OF INDIA' (English); 'GOVERNOR' (English); Serial number: 'H93 667589' (alphanumeric). Back side: 'RESERVE BANK OF INDIA' (English); 'TEN RUPEES' (English); 'दश रुपये' (Devanagari: Ten Rupees); Ashoka emblem seal at bottom center; Devanagari text in left decorative panel (partially legible in image).

Intaglio (steel engraving) printing on banknote paper, evidenced by the sharp, finely-detailed line work visible in the Ashoka Pillar rendering, the dhow vignette, and the ornamental border designs. The multi-color printing shows precise register alignment with no color bleeding or overlap issues. For this Pick number (P-57a from 1962), the note was produced by the Government of India Security Press (GISP) or potentially Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co., Ltd., both primary printers for RBI currency during this era. The security features include the ornamental border patterns, multiple serial numbers, and the Governor's handwritten signature.

This note is catalogued as Pick 57a, specifically identified by the incorrect Urdu spelling of the word 'Rupee' at the lower left on the reverse side. This error distinguishes it from the corrected varieties: P-58 and P-59 also contain similar Urdu errors, while P-60 and P-60A represent later printings with corrected Urdu text and plate modifications. The serial number observed (H93 667589) indicates the H-series printing. Collectors should note the specific Urdu error on the reverse as the key diagnostic feature for this variety, with the signature block and specific serial number prefixes potentially indicating different Governor signatures and printing dates within the 1962 issuance window.