10 gulden 1941

Common. Market data from realbanknotes.com shows numerous examples in F condition selling consistently in the $5-$15 USD range across multiple sales from 2010-2024, with VF examples typically commanding $7-$16. The abundance of eBay sales data (over 40 recorded transactions) and the lack of any scarcity premium for this specific Pick number strongly indicate this is a widely available circulation issue. While the 1940-1942 issue period spanned wartime occupation, the print run was clearly substantial, and examples remain readily obtainable for collectors at modest prices.

Issued during 1940-1942 by the Nederlandsche Bank under German occupation, this banknote represents Dutch financial continuity during World War II. The use of Paulus Moreelse's 17th-century portrait of a young woman and the prominent display of the Dutch coat of arms with royal crown reflect the bank's assertion of Dutch sovereignty and cultural identity during wartime, while the penal code warnings against counterfeiting underscore the serious nature of currency control under occupation.

The obverse features 'The Beautiful Shepherdess,' a portrait by renowned Dutch Golden Age painter Paulus Moreelse (1571-1638), depicted as a young woman in profile facing left with period clothing and her hand raised near her face, positioned on the right side of the note. The composition is framed by an elaborate oval medallion with radiating sunburst patterns in the center, flanked by ornamental fan or shell-like motifs in red and teal on the left side. The reverse displays the Dutch coat of arms—a crowned shield with heraldic red and blue divisions featuring lions—positioned centrally within an intricate rectangular border frame featuring geometric and floral-inspired patterns. Both sides incorporate extensive fine-line engraving with ornamental corner designs and flourishes throughout, utilizing a color palette of blue-gray, beige/cream, red, and teal accents with black ink on aged cream-colored paper.

FRONT: 'DE NEDERLANDSCHE BANK' (The Dutch Bank), 'BETAALT AAN TOONDER' (Payable to Bearer), 'TIEN GULDEN' (Ten Guilders), '10' (denomination). BACK: 'DE NEDERLANDSCHE BANK' (The Dutch Bank), '10' (denomination), 'JOH. ENSCHEDÉ EN ZONEN IMP.' (Joh. Enschedé and Sons Printing), 'C.A. LION CACHET DEL' (C.A. Lion Cachet Designer), 'WETBOEK VAN STRAFRECHT ART. 208' (Penal Code Article 208). The reverse also contains an extended warning in Dutch regarding counterfeiting: 'Counterfeiting coins or banknotes, with the intention to provide these numbers, or providing counterfeit coins or banknotes as genuine and universal to be issued, is punished with imprisonment of up to nine years, Article 208 of the Penal Code.' Serial number visible: '4BM 047449' (repeated in corners).

Intaglio engraving (line engraving), as evidenced by the fine-line work, intricate geometric patterns, and ornamental complexity visible throughout both obverse and reverse. Printed by Joh. Enschedé en Zonen (Joh. Enschedé and Sons), the renowned Dutch security printer, whose name and imprint mark appear on the reverse. The meticulous detail work and security features typical of this era reflect high-quality banknote production standards.

This specific example is dated 1941 per catalog data, falling within the 1940-1942 issuance window. The serial number prefix '4BM' and serial number '047449' are visible. The visual analysis indicates this is a regular issue type without overprints or special markings. Pick P-56b designation indicates this is the 'b' variety of the 10 gulden denomination from this period. No distinctive variety characteristics beyond standard production variations are evident from the observed details.