10 shillings 1958

Common. The 10 shillings denomination of the Bank of Rhodesia and Nyasaland from 1958 (Pick 20a) was issued during the operational period of the federation (1953-1963) and represents standard circulation currency of the era. While the federation itself was short-lived, these notes were produced in substantial quantities for regular circulation. Notes from this issue appear regularly in dealer inventories and auction markets. The VF condition grade is desirable but not exceptional for this denomination, and specimens are neither scarce nor difficult to obtain.

This note was issued during the brief existence of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland (1953-1963), a political and economic union of three British colonial territories. The tropical landscape depicted on the reverse—featuring palm trees, baobab trees, a river boat, and distant mountains—represents the geographic and economic character of the federated regions. The coat of arms featuring a lion on the obverse symbolizes the colonial authority and territorial identity of the federation during this period of British colonial administration in Southern Africa.

The obverse features a formal portrait of Queen Elizabeth II in profile facing right, adorned with a tiara, positioned on the right side of the note in the classical British Commonwealth style. The central design element is an elaborate coat of arms of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, featuring a heraldic lion, enclosed within a decorative cartouche with fine line engraving. An eagle in flight is positioned in the lower left, symbolizing sovereignty and regional identity. The reverse depicts an evocative tropical landscape scene characteristic of the federated territories: a riverside setting with palm trees and distinctive baobab trees in the foreground and middle distance, a small boat on the water, and mountains visible on the horizon, all rendered in fine engraved lines. Ornate geometric borders frame both sides.

FRONT: 'Bank of Rhodesia and Nyasaland' (title); 'Promise to pay the bearer on demand / Ten Shillings / for the Bank of Rhodesia and Nyasaland' (legal tender clause); 'Salisbury' (place of issue); '18th July 1958' (issue date); 'Governor' (signature authority designation); 'W/II 197218' (serial number); '10/-' (denomination). BACK: 'Bank of Rhodesia and Nyasaland' (issuer); 'Ten Shillings / 10/-' (denomination); 'Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co Ltd, New Malden, Surrey, England' (printer/security printer attribution).

Intaglio (engraved) printing, executed by the renowned security printer Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co Ltd of New Malden, Surrey, England, as credited on the reverse. The fine line engraving is evident throughout both sides—particularly in the detailed landscape vignette on the reverse, the heraldic cartouche on the obverse, and the decorative border patterns. Security features include fine-line engraved patterns and watermark provision.

This specimen is dated 18th July 1958, representing the first issue date of this denomination by the Bank of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. The serial number prefix 'W/II' and number '197218' indicate the printing batch. Variations in signature varieties and serial number prefixes are known for this issue across the federation's operational period (1958-1963), though this particular example represents the inaugural 1958 release.