10 centavos 1942

Common. Despite the specialist interest in Philippine emergency currency and this note's specific Bohol provincial origin, eBay price tracking data shows consistent market listings in the $1.95–$29.99 range with most specimens under $15, indicating steady availability. Emergency currency boards produced these notes in substantial quantities to address wartime currency shortages, and while condition-specific examples vary in value, the denomination and issue are not scarce. The VF condition grade represents a middle-market example that would typically trade in the $3–$10 range based on comparable sales data.

Issued in 1942 during the Commonwealth period, this emergency currency board note reflects the Philippines' complicated wartime situation under Japanese occupation. The front prominently displays the Commonwealth of the Philippines' promise to pay to the bearer and references the Emergency Currency Board (ECBOL), while the reverse identifies the issuing authority as the Bohol Emergency Currency Board specifically in Tablas, Bihol, indicating local provincial control over currency emergency measures. The ornate decorative designs and dual-language presentation (English and local Philippine references) underscore the attempt to maintain governmental legitimacy and monetary authority during the occupation period.

This emergency currency note features a symmetrical layout with ornate geometric decorative borders framing all edges on both the obverse and reverse. The front displays primarily text-based security elements including the denomination numerals ('10') in two positions, the Commonwealth redemption promise, series designation, and official signatures/titles of provincial officials (Provincial Auditor, Provincial Fiscal) with Member and Chairman designations. Circular seal elements appear in the bottom corners of the front. The reverse maintains the same ornate border treatment with four circular seal designs positioned in each corner, all containing the denomination '10'. The color scheme is limited to tan/beige paper with gray and dark gray printing, with red ink used exclusively for serial numbers on the front. No portraits or specific landmarks are depicted—the design relies entirely on geometric ornamental patterns and textual authority for its security and identification.

FRONT SIDE: 'THE COMMONWEALTH OF THE PHILIPPINES WILL PAY TO THE BEARER ON DEMAND' / '10 CENTAVOS' / 'SERIES OF 1942' / 'IN LAWFUL CURRENCY OF THE PHILIPPINES ECBOL EMERGENCY CURRENCY BOARD' / 'MEMBER CHAIRMAN MEMBER' / 'PROV. AUDITOR PROV. FISCAL' / Serial numbers: 196431 (appears twice in red). BACK SIDE: 'ISSUED BY THE BOHOL EMERGENCY CURRENCY BOARD' / 'TABLAS BIHOL' / 'PHILIPPINES' / 'TEN CENTAVOS' / Denomination '10' repeated in four corners. TRANSLATION SUMMARY: The note declares it is legal tender of the Philippines issued through the Emergency Currency Board framework, with provincial officers (Provincial Auditor and Provincial Fiscal) listed, and specifically identifies Bohol as the issuing region.

Letterpress printing, typical of emergency currency production in 1942. The visual analysis reveals uneven ink application, fading, and the characteristic appearance of wartime emergency note production where security and consistency were secondary to rapid currency generation. The geometric borders and seal designs show the limitations of letterpress work under emergency conditions, with slight registration issues visible. The specific printer for this Bohol Emergency Currency Board issue is not definitively documented in standard catalogs, but such provincial emergency notes were typically produced by available local printing facilities under government oversight.

This specimen is identified as Pick S131d, the 'd' suffix indicating a specific variety within the 10 centavos 1942 Commonwealth issue. The serial number 196431 on this example distinguishes it from other impressions. The specific attribution to the Bohol Emergency Currency Board (rather than the general ECBOL or other provincial boards) and the reference to 'Tablas Bihol' place this within the Bohol regional variant category. Known varieties of the 1942 10 centavos Commonwealth issue differentiate between various emergency currency board issuers and their regional designations; this Bohol variant with Tablas location specification represents one of several provincial authority varieties produced during this period.