2 shillings 6 pence

Common. This is a regular issue of a government currency from a major British Commonwealth territory. The eBay market data shows consistent sales in the $6-$78 range across various grades, with VG examples selling for $6-$12.50 and UNC catalog values listed at $275 (2016). The presence of multiple sales records over a 15-year period indicates adequate supply in the collector market. These notes were produced in sufficient quantities to support circulation and remained in the collector market through multiple sales cycles, confirming common status despite their historical interest.

This note was issued by the Government of Malta during the early period of World War II (September 1939), when Malta was still under British governance and George VI was the reigning monarch. The portrait of King George VI and the formal governmental declaration text reflect Malta's status as a British colony during this pivotal historical period. The ornate design with classical scrollwork and heraldic elements is characteristic of Commonwealth currency from the pre-decimalization era.

The obverse features a formal portrait of King George VI in profile facing right, depicted in mauve and pink tones within an ornate circular frame. The central design includes a prominent rectangular banner containing the denomination and legal tender declaration in English, flanked by the institutional text 'THE GOVERNMENT OF MALTA.' The entire design is framed by intricate decorative borders with elaborate scrollwork and flourish patterns typical of pre-war Commonwealth currency design. Corner ornaments display the fractional denomination '26' (shillings and pence in old notation). Fine horizontal line patterns (guilloche work) fill background areas as a security measure. The reverse appears to be relatively plain or lightly printed, featuring only a faint watermark with what appears to be Malta's coat of arms or heraldic seal. The note is uniface in practical appearance despite nominal reverse design.

Front Side: 'THE GOVERNMENT OF MALTA HEREBY DECLARES THIS NOTE TO BE LEGAL TENDER FOR PAYMENTS NOT EXCEEDING £2' (main declaration); 'TWO SHILLINGS SIX PENCE' (denomination in words); Serial number: 'A 2534059' (appears upper right and lower left); Corner ornaments marked '26' (representing 2/6 in old currency notation); Background features repeating text 'GOVERNMENT OF MALTA'. Back Side: Faintly visible institutional text and watermark featuring a coat of arms or heraldic seal; specific inscriptions not clearly legible due to faintness or image quality.

Multi-color letterpress or intaglio printing, characteristic of 1930s-1940s banknote production. The printer is identified as BWC (Bradbury, Wilkinson & Company) without imprint mark on the note itself. The technique incorporates multiple color separations (mauve, blue, green, cream) and fine line guilloche patterns for security purposes. The precise registration and detail visible in the ornamental borders and portrait indicate skilled intaglio engraving work typical of this period's security printing standards.

This example bears serial number A 2534059 with prefix 'A'. The PMG population report indicates two cataloged variants (P-11 and P-11s), though specifics of the distinction are not detailed in provided data. This specimen appears to be the standard P-11 variety based on the uniface description matching the obverse-only design observed. No overprints, date variations, or signature variants are evident from the visual analysis. The condition evidence (wear marks, creases, circulation handling) suggests this is from an earlier printing batch or represents average circulation wear for notes from the 1939 issue date.