10 rupees 1951
About This Note
This is an uncirculated 1951 State Bank of Pakistan 10 Rupees note (Pick P-13(4)), featuring exceptional clarity and preservation with no visible wear, creases, or stains. The note showcases the iconic Shalimar Gardens on the obverse and an Islamic architectural complex on the reverse, rendered in brown and tan tones with intricate baroque-style engraving. This early post-independence Pakistani currency represents a historically significant period in the nation's monetary history and remains in museum-quality condition.
Common. The 10 Rupees denomination from the 1951-1967 series (Pick P-13) was issued in substantial quantities as a workhorse denomination for the newly independent State Bank of Pakistan. Despite the note's age and historical significance, no evidence of limited print runs, recalls, or scarcity exists for this Pick number. Uncirculated examples are available in the collector market at modest valuations, consistent with common-grade early Pakistani currency.
Issued in 1951, just four years after Pakistan's independence, this 10 Rupees note reflects the newly formed nation's emphasis on its cultural and architectural heritage. The Shalimar Gardens depicted on the front represent the Mughal legacy and architectural achievement, while the reverse features the tombs near Thatta, demonstrating the State Bank of Pakistan's commitment to honoring the region's historical monuments. This period marked the transition from colonial Indian currency to Pakistan's distinctive national banknote series.
The obverse features a landscape vignette of the Shalimar Gardens in Lahore, a masterpiece of Mughal architecture and garden design, depicted with cypress trees in formal arrangement, domed structures with architectural elements, and walled garden grounds. The State emblem—a circular design featuring the crescent and star—is prominently displayed. The reverse presents an architectural complex near Thatta featuring multiple Islamic domes, minarets, fortification walls, and desert landscape, representing the region's historical significance. Both sides are enclosed in ornate baroque-style decorative borders with geometric corner medallions containing the denomination '10'. The note is printed in a brown, tan, and cream color palette typical of early Pakistani currency.
Front side: 'بیگمت ڈولت پاکستان' (State Bank of Pakistan - Urdu); 'دس روپے' (Ten Rupees - Urdu); 'STATE BANK OF PAKISTAN' (English); Serial number 'UE/2 148261' and 'UE 2 148261' (repeated in red at top). Back side: 'STATE BANK OF PAKISTAN' (English); 'دس روپے' (Ten Rupees - Urdu); 'UPPER INDUS' (English, referencing the geographical/historical context); additional fine print legal and issuance information in mixed Urdu and English (not fully legible in images).
Intaglio (recess) engraving, evidenced by the fine line work, intricate border patterns, complex decorative linework, and the depth of impression visible in the vignettes. The note exhibits the characteristic hallmarks of security printing typical of early State Bank of Pakistan issues, produced by established British security printers. Watermark areas are present on both sides, indicating the use of specialized security paper stock.
The observed serial number 'UE/2 148261' indicates a specific issue within the series. The Pick catalog designation P-13(4) denotes this as variety 4 of the 10 Rupees 1951 issue, likely differentiated by serial number prefix, signature variant, or printing period. The 'UE' prefix on the serial number is characteristic of this early series. Further varieties within Pick P-13 may exist differentiated by signature combinations or serial number prefixes, which would require comparison against comprehensive specialized catalogs of Pakistani currency.
