10 riyals 1960

Common. The Qatar & Dubai Currency Board's 10 Riyals (Pick-3) was produced in significant quantities during its circulation period (1960-1973, with potential later issues). Despite the note's age, no evidence of restricted print runs or early recall exists. The PMG Population Report lists 9 documented variants of Pick-3, indicating healthy survivor numbers across multiple condition grades. Notes from this issuer and denomination regularly appear in collector markets at modest valuations, typical of early Gulf currency board issues that were widely circulated and retained.

Issued during the formative period of Qatar and Dubai's monetary independence, this note represents a transitional era in Gulf currency. The 1960 issue predates the individual monetary agencies; the lighthouse depicted on the obverse symbolizes maritime commerce and regional development that characterized the pre-oil wealth period. The note's bilingual English-Arabic design reflects the British influence on Gulf currency boards while asserting local Arab identity during the early 1960s transition toward separate national currencies.

The obverse (front) features a left-aligned circular vignette depicting a lighthouse or coastal minaret with an adjacent palm tree and stylized wave patterns at its base—symbolizing the maritime heritage and Arabian Gulf geography of the issuing region. The right side contains a watermark area (falcon's head design noted in security features). The center displays ornamental Islamic geometric patterns and floral motifs in red/pink on a cream background, bordered by an intricate decorative frame. The reverse presents a balanced, symmetrical composition with ornate circular medallions positioned left and right, connected by a prominent central rosette cartouche containing the denomination '10 RIYALS'. The bottom border features a continuous geometric repeating pattern typical of Islamic design principles. Both sides employ fine engraving techniques with no photographic portraiture.

FRONT: عشرة رياﻻت (Ashra Riyalat) = 'Ten Riyals'; مصرف قطر و دبي للعملة (Masraf Qatar wa Dubai lil-Umla) = 'Qatar & Dubai Currency Board'; Serial number: A/6 952121. BACK: 'QATAR & DUBAI CURRENCY BOARD' (English); '10 RIYALS' (English denomination marking).

Intaglio (engraved) printing on high-quality banknote paper, evidenced by the crisp, fine-line geometric patterns, the sharply rendered rosette medallion, and the exceptional paper quality noted by PMG (EPQ designation). The intricate border work, ornamental designs, and security watermark areas are consistent with traditional security printing standards of early 1960s currency production. Likely produced by a specialist security printer, though specific attribution is not definitively documented in catalog references.

This specific example carries the serial number prefix A/6 952121, placing it within the early series of the 1960 issue. The PMG Population Report documents variants including P-3a, P-3cts, and P-3s, suggesting signature or printing variants exist within this Pick number. The falcon's head watermark (referenced in security features) is consistent with documented watermark specifications for the 1960 Qatar & Dubai Currency Board 10 Riyals. Without additional signature examples or printing house marks visible in this image, definitive variety classification should reference the specific signature block and printer marks if present.