10 shillings 1940
Market Prices
4 salesAbout This Note
This is a 1940 Government of Malta 10 Shillings note (Pick P-19) in AU condition, featuring a handsome portrait of King George VI in profile within an ornate oval frame. The note displays the characteristic pink/mauve coloring with blue and tan accents typical of this issue, and exhibits fine engraved security work throughout. While the note shows evidence of circulation including a handwritten mark across the center, foxing, and creasing, it remains a well-preserved example of this early Commonwealth-era Maltese currency.
Common. The eBay price tracking data shows regular sales activity across multiple grade levels from 2010-2020, with UNC examples selling for approximately $141 and lower grades consistently achieving $40-75 range. The 2016 catalog value of $50 for UNC and the steady market activity indicate this is a standard issue with adequate supply in collector circulation. No evidence of limited print run or rarity factors.
Issued in 1940 during World War II, this banknote represents Malta's monetary system under British colonial administration, with the portrait of King George VI reigning at the time. The note's baroque ornamental design and formal English-language declarations reflect Malta's political status as a British Crown Colony during this period. The deliberate placement of the monarch's profile and the formal legal tender declaration emphasize the note's connection to the broader British Commonwealth monetary system of the era.
The obverse features a formal portrait of King George VI shown in right-facing profile, positioned within an ornate oval frame on the right side of the note. The design employs elaborate baroque-style ornamentation including a decorative cartouche with shell-like crown motif above the denomination. The composition incorporates repeating geometric and floral decorative borders in beige and tan tones, with the note's primary palette of pink/mauve providing the field color accented by blue elements. The reverse appears to be blank or plain paper, consistent with uniface printing noted in catalog references.
Front side: 'THE GOVERNMENT OF MALTA' (repeated as background microtext); 'HEREBY DECLARES THIS NOTE'; 'TEN SHILLINGS'; 'TO BE LEGAL TENDER FOR PAYMENTS OF ANY AMOUNT'; Serial numbers 'A/3 808397' and 'A 808397'; Denomination marking '10'. Back side: No legible inscriptions detected; predominantly blank with age-related discoloration.
Intaglio engraving (line engraving), evidenced by the fine line patterns, intricate guilloche borders, and detailed geometric designs visible throughout the note. The microtext repeating pattern and high-quality security engraving are characteristic of professional banknote production. Printer identified as BWC (Bradbury, Wilkinson and Company) with no imprint visible on the note itself, consistent with catalog documentation.
Serial number prefix 'A/3' with number 808397 observed. The PMG population report indicates one catalogued variant exists for Pick P-19, though specific distinguishing characteristics of variants are not detailed in provided references. The handwritten mark across the center of this example appears to be post-issuance annotation rather than a distinguishing printing variety. No overprints or date variations noted; issue date recorded as ND (1940).
