10 pesos 1944

Common. eBay market data shows multiple VF-graded examples selling in the $12.47–$150.00 range, with most VF specimens trading between $12.50–$50.00, indicating abundant supply in the market. The 1944 emergency series was produced in substantial quantities across multiple regional currency committees throughout the Philippines, and this Iloilo variety remains readily available to collectors. Print runs for emergency notes were large relative to demand, and survival rates remain high.

Issued under presidential authority during the complex political situation of 1944 Philippines, this emergency note represents a transitional monetary period between Japanese occupation currency and the restoration of Philippine sovereignty. The portrait of Quezon, who served as Commonwealth President until his death in 1944, symbolizes the continuation of Philippine national identity despite wartime turmoil. The specific Iloilo City Committee stamp and May 1944 date place this note at a critical juncture—just months before General MacArthur's return and the liberation of the Philippines from Japanese control.

The obverse features a dignified three-quarter portrait of Manuel L. Quezon positioned on the left side, rendered in formal business attire characteristic of official state portraiture. The design employs a single-color printing technique in peach/salmon tones with black text and imagery. Ornate decorative corner ornaments and border patterns frame the composition in a classical style typical of Philippine National Bank notes. A prominent circular seal from the Iloilo Currency Committee appears on the right, bearing the issuing location and date. Three signature lines at the base represent the committee's authorized representatives. The reverse displays a large central ornamental vignette with classical decorative motifs, maintaining the same color palette and border treatment. The design reflects the emergency nature of the issuance while maintaining formal aesthetic standards expected of central bank currency.

FRONT: Serial number 179280; 'Series of 1944'; 'PHILIPPINE NATIONAL BANK'; 'Emergency Circulating Note of 1944'; 'Issued by Authority of the President of the Philippines'; 'WILL PAY THE BEARER ON DEMAND'; 'TEN PESOS'; 'In Lawful Currency of the Philippines'; 'ILOILO CURRENCY COMMITTEE'; 'Iloilo City' and 'May 1, 1944' (in circular stamp); 'Quezon' (portrait label); signatures of Acting Provincial Auditor Member, Acting Manager PNB Iloilo (Chairman), and Acting Provincial Fiscal Member. BACK: 'Philippine National Bank'; 'PESOS'; 'Emergency Circulating Note of 1944'; 'DEPOSIT'; handwritten annotations reading 'Iloilo City Philippines' and 'May i 1944'.

Single-color letterpress printing in peach/salmon ink on cream/beige paper stock. The uniform color application, crisp text registration visible despite age, and traditional ornamental border work are consistent with standard letterpress production methods employed by Philippine National Bank during the 1940s. The handwritten manuscript annotations (signatures and location/date notations) were added post-printing as part of the emergency issuance process, indicating local authorization and distribution control.

This note is specifically identifiable as the Iloilo City Committee issuance of May 1, 1944, representing a regional variety of the 1944 emergency series. The Iloilo Currency Committee overprint and specific date stamp distinguish it from notes issued by other provincial committees. Serial number 179280 with the 'b' designation appears to indicate a specific printing block. Multiple Philippine cities and provinces had their own authorized currency committees during this period, creating numerous identifiable varieties within the P-S342 designation based on committee name, date, and location overprints.