25 sen 1947

Common. The eBay transaction data provided shows consistent market activity with numerous examples selling at modest prices ($5–$57 range depending on grade and year), with EF-graded examples specifically selling for $15–$19 in the 2014–2015 period. The 2016 catalog values indicate UNC examples at only $3.50, confirming this note circulates regularly among collectors. While the historical significance of the December 1947 date (final weeks of Dutch rule) may appeal to specialists, the note was issued as regular small change with no indication of a restricted print run or recall. The denomination (25 sen) as fractional currency and the commonplace nature of its distribution in the final months of colonial administration support a common rarity classification.

This banknote was issued in December 1947, just weeks before Indonesian independence was formally recognized on December 27, 1947, making it one of the final monetary instruments of Dutch colonial authority in the East Indies. The dual-language presentation (Dutch paired with Malay) reflects the transitional administrative period when the Dutch were attempting to maintain control over monetary systems even as Indonesian nationalist movements succeeded. The reference to 'NEDERLANDSCH-INDIE' (Dutch East Indies) and the formal Dutch penal code citations on the reverse underscore this was issued under Dutch, not Indonesian Republican, authority—a critical distinction for collectors.

The obverse features a centrally positioned flowering tree or decorative botanical plant motif rendered in fine sepia and brown engraving on a beige/tan background, flanked by the denomination '25' in ornamental cartouches positioned in all four corners. The design incorporates fine line work and intricate engraved patterns throughout, with bilingual text in Dutch and Malay positioned across the top and bottom margins identifying the issuing authorities and redemption terms. The reverse displays a more formal symmetrical composition with stylized leaves and floral patterns in blue/teal ink on a cream background, featuring two prominent '25' denomination numerals in decorative cartouches on the left and right sides, with a central ornamental cross-like floral element and matching corner leaf designs. The entire composition reflects classical Dutch colonial banknote design aesthetics adapted for the final period of Netherlands Indies administration.

FRONT SIDE: 'INDONESIA' (English/Latin); 'TANDA PEMBAJARAN JANG SAH' (Malay: Legal tender); 'DAPAT DITERIMA SEBAGAI ALAT PEMBAJARAN DAN DAPAT DITEKAR DI SEMOE'A KAS NEGARA, SESOEDAH DIMALOEM KAN' (Malay: Can be accepted as legal tender and can be exchanged at all state treasuries, after being registered); 'DOEA POELOEH LIMAASEN' (Malay: Twenty-five sen); '25' (Numeric denomination); 'GEREGISTREERD' (Dutch: Registered); 'DE VOORZITTER VAN DE ALGEMEENE REKENKAMER' (Dutch: The chairman of the general accounts office); 'DE DIRECTEUR VAN FINANCIEN' (Dutch: The director of finance); 'DESEMBER 1947' (Malay/Dutch: December 1947). REVERSE SIDE: '25' (Numeric denomination); 'HET NAMAKEN OF VERVALSSCHEN VAN MUNTBILJETTEN, HET OPZETTELIK UITGEVEN, VOORRAAD HEBBEN OF BINNEN NEDERLANDSCH-INDIE INVOEREN VAN VALSCHE OF VERVALSCHT MUNTBILJETTEN, IS BIJ DE ARTIKELEN 244, 245 EN 249 WETBOEK VAN STRAFRECHT STRAFBAAR GESTELD' (Dutch: Counterfeiting or falsifying banknotes, intentionally issuing, possessing stock of, or importing into the Dutch East Indies counterfeit or falsified banknotes is punishable under articles 244, 245 and 249 of the Criminal Code); 'DIDALAM FATSAL 244, 245 DAN 249 DARI KITAB OENDANG HOEKOE-MAN DITETAPKAN HOEKOE-MAN OENTOEOK JANG MENIROE ATAU MEMAL SOEKAN OEWANG KERTAS DAN OENTOEOK JANG MENGLOEARKAN DENGAN SENGADJA, MENJIMPAN ATAU MEMASOEKAN OEWANG KERTAS LANTJOENG ATAU JANG DI JADIKAN LANTJOENG KE HINDIA BELANDA' (Malay: In articles 244, 245 and 249 of the Criminal Code, penalties are established for those who counterfeit or attempt to counterfeit paper money and for those who intentionally circulate, keep or import such falsified paper money into the Dutch East Indies).

Intaglio (engraved recess) printing, the standard security printing method for banknotes of this period. The fine line work, intricate ornamental patterns, and crisp impression of the design elements visible in both the obverse flowering tree motif and reverse botanical compositions are characteristic of professional intaglio banknote production. For Dutch colonial East Indies notes of this era, the printing was typically executed by established European security printers, likely one of the firms contracted to the Dutch government (such as Enschedé or similar firms), though the specific printer attribution for Pick 32 would require consultation of specialized Dutch colonial monetary records.

This December 1947 25 sen note (Pick 32) represents the specific variety issued in the final month before Indonesian independence. Varieties for this Pick number would be distinguished by: (1) specific signature combinations of the 'VOORZITTER VAN DE ALGEMEENE REKENKAMER' (Chairman) and 'DIRECTEUR VAN FINANCIEN' (Finance Director), which may vary across printing runs; (2) serial number prefixes and numbering sequences, though these are not visible in the visual analysis provided; (3) printing dates within 1947, with the December 1947 date being among the latest issues. No overprints or date variations are apparent in the described specimens. Collectors should note that this note is specifically a Dutch Civil Administration issue (not a Republic of Indonesia issue), making it technically classifiable under Netherlands Indies rather than independent Indonesia in formal catalogs.