10 rupees 1935
About This Note
This is a Government of Ceylon 10 Rupees note from 1935, printed by Thomas de la Rue and graded VG (Very Good). The note displays the characteristic ornate design typical of the 1929-1939 series, featuring an elaborate scalloped border in green and pink on the front and a detailed engraved vignette of an elephant beneath palm trees on the reverse. The specimen shows significant age-related wear including prominent center fold, extensive foxing, and overall paper darkening, yet retains legibility of all major design elements and inscriptions.
Common. The 10 Rupees note from the 1929-1939 Government of Ceylon series (Pick P-25a) was part of a substantial, long-running issue spanning a full decade. No evidence suggests limited print runs, recall, or scarcity. Notes from this series appear regularly in numismatic commerce. The VG condition grade observed here is typical for circulated examples from this period.
Issued during the 1935 date shown on the note itself, this represents the Government of Ceylon's currency during the inter-war period when Ceylon remained a British Crown Colony. The tropical imagery of the elephant and palm trees on the reverse reflects Ceylon's colonial identity and natural resources, while the formal English text and Colombo date underscore the British administrative authority over the island's monetary system during this era.
The front features a classical promise-to-pay design with the denomination prominently displayed in a central cartouche, surrounded by an ornate decorative border with scalloped patterns in green and pink. Circular denomination markers appear in all four corners. The reverse displays the primary decorative element: a detailed engraved vignette depicting an African elephant standing in a tropical landscape beneath palm trees, framed by an elaborate baroque-style border featuring scrollwork, floral patterns, and pearled border elements in purple/mauve and brown tones. The design reflects Thomas de la Rue's signature high-quality engraving style typical of their colonial currency commissions.
FRONT: 'THE GOVERNMENT OF CEYLON' (header); 'Promises to pay the Bearer on Demand the Sum of' (promise to pay clause); 'TEN RUPEES' (denomination in words); 'Colombo, 20th June 1935' (issue date and location); 'D 40594' (serial number, appearing in four corners); 'COMMISSIONERS OF CURRENCY' and 'GOVERNMENT OF CEYLON' (authority statements); 'THIS DELAUKED & CO LTD LONDON' (printer's attribution). BACK: Primarily decorative vignette with handwritten archival annotations visible in margins.
Intaglio engraving (recess printing), executed by Thomas de la Rue & Company, Limited, London—the premier security printer of the era. The fine line work, intricate border patterns, detailed vignette of the elephant scene, and overall precision of the design are characteristic of high-quality steel plate engraving used for banknote production. No additional security features beyond the engraved design complexity are evident, consistent with 1930s security standards.
The note is dated 20th June 1935 and bears serial number D 40594. This specific date and series designation (P-25a) identifies it within the multi-year issue. The 'D' prefix on the serial number may indicate a particular printing batch or series variant. Cataloging conventions may distinguish sub-varieties by date range or serial prefixes within the P-25 designation, though the visual analysis does not reveal overprints or significant variants that would indicate a scarce sub-type.
