10 rupiah 1963

Common. While this is a regional banknote with specialized issuance for Irian Barat, the eBay market data provided shows sold examples ranging from $10 (F grade, 2016) to $22.50 (VF grade, 2019), with 2008 catalog values of $50 for UNC. These market prices indicate a readily available note in the collector market. The fact that examples regularly appear on eBay with multiple bidders and that the catalog values remain modest by rare note standards confirms this is a common note despite its regional specificity. Irian Barat notes are collected but not scarce.

This note represents a significant period in Indonesian history, issued in 1963 during the early years of Indonesian independence and at the time of West Irian's integration into Indonesia following the 1962 UN-brokered agreement. The emphasis on 'IRIAN BARAT' (West Irian) on the obverse reflects the political importance of this territorial acquisition, while the traditional Indonesian military dress of the portrayed figure and the two women in traditional dress on the reverse underscore the nation-building imagery employed by Bank Indonesia during this formative period.

The obverse features a portrait of an Indonesian military figure (likely a nationalist or early independence figure) wearing a distinctive traditional military dress uniform with an ornate patterned collar, positioned on the left side. The dominant central element is the Garuda Pancasila, Indonesia's national coat of arms, depicted as a spread-winged eagle clutching a shield—a powerful symbol of national sovereignty. The denomination '10' appears in an ornate cloud-shaped cartouche in the upper left. The reverse displays two female figures in profile facing opposite directions, both adorned in traditional Indonesian headdresses and clothing, representing the cultural diversity of the Indonesian archipelago. Both sides employ elaborate decorative floral motifs and baroque-inspired ornamental frames, with the denomination repeated in corner cartouches. The color palette of pink/magenta with cream and white backgrounds creates a distinctive and elegant appearance characteristic of early 1960s Indonesian currency design.

FRONT: 'BANK INDONESIA' (Bank Indonesia), '1960' (printing/series year), '10' (denomination), 'IRIAN BARAT' (West Irian), 'PD.GUBERNUR' (Governor), 'DIREKTUR' (Director), 'SEPULUH RUPIAH' (Ten Rupiah), 'PERTJETAKAN KEBADJORAN' (Kebadjoran Printing House). BACK: 'SEPULUH RUPIAH' (Ten Rupiah), 'IBN 005099' (serial number), '10' (denomination), and the counterfeiting warning: 'SBARANGSIAPA MENIRU ATAU MEMALSUKAN UANG KERTAS DAN BARANGSIAPA MENGELUARKAN DENGAN SENGAJA ATAU MENJUMPAI UANG KERTAS TIRUIAN ATAU UANG KERTAS JANG DIPALSUKAN AKAN DITUNTUT DIMUKA HAKIM' (Whoever imitates or counterfeits paper money and whoever deliberately issues or finds counterfeit or falsified paper money will be prosecuted before a judge).

This note was produced using traditional intaglio/engraving printing methods, as evidenced by the fine line work, intricate guilloché patterns, and detailed background designs visible throughout both sides. The credit line 'PERTJETAKAN KEBADJORAN' (Kebadjoran Printing House) indicates production by what was likely an Indonesian or Indonesian-contracted security printer. The precision of the engraved portraits, the complexity of the decorative patterns, and the quality of the line work are consistent with professional security printing standards of the early 1960s.

Pick catalog number P-R4 is the standard designation for this 10 Rupiah Irian Barat note. The observed serial number 'IBN 005099' in red text is consistent with the standard serial numbering format. No major varieties (such as signature variants, overprints, or security feature modifications) are apparent from the visual analysis, though collectors should note that Irian Barat notes may exist with varying serial number prefixes and potentially different printing dates despite the 1963 issue year.