10 dinars 1971 specimen

Scarce. While the base 10 Dinars 1971 note is relatively common in circulation grades, specimen notes (P-37s designation) are significantly scarcer due to their limited production as non-circulating reference pieces for banks and collectors. The 2019 catalogue valuation of $1000 UNC and recent market evidence (AUNC sold for $305 in 2018) indicate strong collector demand and limited availability. Specimen notes typically see smaller production runs than regular issues, and survival rates in pristine UNC condition remain limited.

Issued in 1971 by the Central Bank of Libya, this note commemorates Omar el Mukhtar, the revered Libyan nationalist and Islamic leader who led resistance against Italian colonial occupation in the early 20th century. The imagery of mounted horsemen on the reverse symbolizes the military campaigns and heroic struggle of el Mukhtar and his followers during the Libyan resistance movement. The 1971 issuance reflects Libya's post-revolutionary period following the 1969 coup, when the nation sought to honor its independence struggle through national monetary iconography.

The obverse features a left-facing profile portrait of Omar el Mukhtar, the elderly bearded Libyan national hero, rendered in detailed grayscale engraving. His traditional North African headwear and dignified bearing are prominently displayed. The background is dominated by ornate Islamic geometric patterns and floral motifs in gold, pink, and pale purple, with intricate border designs flanking both sides featuring radiating circular medallions. The reverse depicts three mounted figures on horseback in traditional Libyan/North African dress, rendered in classical engraving style against a pale pink and mauve field. The Central Bank of Libya emblem appears in a decorative circular cartouche at the top. Denomination numerals '10' appear in ornamental squares at the upper corners, with 'Ten Dinars' printed in English at the base. The specimen overprint in red Arabic script appears diagonally across the reverse.

Front side: 'مصرف ليبيا المركزي' (Central Bank of Libya), 'ديار' (Dinars), Serial number 'A000600'. Back side: 'Central Bank of Libya' (English text within circular emblem), '10' (denomination in decorative squares, upper corners), 'Ten Dinars' (bottom denomination text), 'SPECIMEN' (red overprint marking, diagonal placement).

Intaglio (engraved) printing on the portrait and horsemen vignettes, combined with multicolor lithographic underprinting for the background patterns, decorative elements, and denomination markings. The fine line work, detailed engraving of facial features, and complex geometric border patterns are characteristic of high-security banknote production typical of 1970s Central Bank of Libya issues. The red specimen overprint was applied as a secondary overprint marking.

This note is catalogued as Pick P-37s, the specimen variety of the 1971 10 Dinars note. PMG records indicate four catalogued variants for this base Pick number (P-37a, P-37b, P-37r, and P-37s), with the 's' designation denoting specimen status. The red 'SPECIMEN' overprint and the serial number prefix 'A000600' are consistent with official Central Bank specimen production. No signature varieties are apparent in this specimen issue.