10 dollars 1988

Common. This is a regular issue note from 1988 with substantial circulation and surviving population. eBay transaction data shows consistent availability at modest prices ($6-15 for circulated examples, $13-31.50 for UNC), indicating healthy supply in the collector market. The PMG population report identifies this as a standard variant without restrictions. While PMG-graded specimens in grades 65-67 command $20-60, this reflects collector demand for certified quality rather than scarcity of the denomination itself.

Issued by the Board of Commissioners of Currency in 1988, this banknote reflects Singapore's national identity through its multicultural inscriptions (English, Malay, Chinese, and Tamil) and imagery celebrating both maritime heritage and modern development. The Palari—a historical trading vessel depicted on the obverse—symbolizes Singapore's historic role as a major trading port, while the public housing depicted on the reverse represents the nation's post-independence urban development and commitment to providing quality housing for its citizens.

The obverse features the Palari, a traditional Chinese junk-style trading vessel with multiple masts and full rigging, positioned as the central design element in a composition dominated by red and purple security printing. The Singapore coat of arms (featuring the lion, crescent moon and stars) appears in the upper left corner, with the denomination $10 displayed in opposite corners. The reverse depicts a stylized map of Singapore at center, complemented by public housing blocks rendered in modern architectural style on the right side, with three orchid flowers (Singapore's national flower) positioned in the upper right, and decorative fish illustrations in the lower corners. The entire composition is rendered with intricate geometric line patterns providing security features and aesthetic complexity.

Front: 'SINGAPORE' (English), 'SINGAPURA' (Malay), '新加坡' (Simplified Chinese), 'சிங்கப்பூர்' (Tamil), '$10' (denomination), 'PALARI' (vessel name), 'This note is legal tender' (legal declaration), 'MERDEKA SINGAPURA' (Malay: Singapore Independence/Freedom), 'MINISTER FOR FINANCE' (issuing authority), 'TEN DOLLARS' (denomination in words). Serial numbers visible: 'E247618' and '62247618'. Back: '$10' (denomination, left and right), 'SINGAPORE' (country name), 'PUBLIC HOUSING' (subject identification), 'THOMAS DE LA RUE AND COMPANY LIMITED' (printer attribution).

Intaglio/offset combination printing executed by Thomas De La Rue and Company Limited, London—the world's preeminent security printer of the era. The fine line work, geometric security patterns, color gradations, and microprint areas visible throughout both obverse and reverse are characteristic of De La Rue's multi-color intaglio security printing process, employing separate plates for red and purple color registration to create the complex layered appearance while maintaining anti-counterfeiting safeguards.

The PMG population report identifies two catalogued variants for Pick-20: the standard P-20 and replacement notes (P-20*) bearing serial number prefixes Z/1, Z/2, etc. The specimen observed carries serial number E247618, consistent with regular issue notes rather than replacement currency. The visual analysis confirms the standard obverse design (Palari vessel) and reverse design (public housing and map), with no overprints or modifications visible that would distinguish it as a replacement note variety.