10 rupees 1977

Common. This is a regular issue note from 1977 with presumably substantial print run. The eBay market data provided shows consistent sales ranging from $1.51 to $17.49 for this note across various grades from 2017-2024, with UNC examples cataloging at $10 (2019 values) and selling in the $13.50-$17.49 range. The consistent market activity and affordable pricing across multiple sales indicate this is a readily available note in the collector market, not scarce or rare.

Issued in 1977 by the Central Bank of Ceylon during a transitional period when the country was in the process of adopting the name 'Sri Lanka' (officially changed in 1972), this note reflects the nation's complex post-independence identity with text in English, Sinhala, and Tamil. The reversal features religious or ceremonial figures representing Sri Lankan cultural heritage, while the obverse depicts King Parakkrama, linking the modern state to historical kingship. This note belongs to the later series that includes both 'Ceylon' and 'Sri Lanka' nomenclature on variants of the same basic design.

The obverse features a portrait of King Parakkrama (depicted in purple/maroon tones) positioned on the right side of the note, a significant historical figure in Sri Lankan heritage. The portrait is framed by ornamental corner designs and flanked by denomination numerals and decorative text panels. The reverse displays a more elaborate ceremonial composition with a central multi-armed deity or religious figure (typical of Hindu/Buddhist iconography) in traditional dress, flanked by two smaller accompanying figures, all rendered in the same green and purple color scheme. The entire note is bordered by ornate geometric patterns, and the background is filled with fine-line engraved patterns and decorative text in Sinhala script. The Central Bank of Ceylon emblem appears as an ornate circular design incorporating national or religious symbolism.

Front: Central Bank of Ceylon (English: CENTRAL BANK OF CEYLON; Sinhala: ශ්‍රී ලංකා මධ්‍ය බැංකුව; Tamil: இலங்கை மத்திய வங்கி). Denomination Ten Rupees (English: TEN RUPEES; Sinhala: පතුඩු රුපාය; Tamil: பத்து ருபாய்). Serial number: M 309 6375 I 9. Date marking: 9/08-26. Back: Denomination repeated as Ten Rupees in all three languages; Central Bank of Ceylon identification; Decorative background text (Sinhala: ඩුලිප්ප්‍ර අක්ෂර - background text in decorative script).

Intaglio (engraved) printing by Bradbury Wilkinson & Co. (New Malden), the noted British security printer. The note exhibits the characteristic fine-line engraving patterns, complex geometric borders, and detailed background ornamentation typical of high-security currency production. The multi-color printing (green, purple, pink, and white) was achieved through carefully registered engraved plates, demonstrating the advanced security printing standards of the late 1970s.

This note is cataloged as Pick P-74Ac, the 'c' suffix indicating a specific variety within the 1977 10 rupees series. Variants of this basic design include P-74A (earlier issue with bank name in Sinhala only) and later issues after the formal name change to Sri Lanka. The visual specimen shows the trilingual version with 'CENTRAL BANK OF CEYLON' in English alongside Sinhala and Tamil text. The serial number format (M 309 6375 I 9) and date marking (9/08-26) are typical features but without additional specimens, specific variety classification within P-74Ac cannot be definitively established from this image alone.