10 cents 1918
“1.04.1918”
About This Note
This is a VF-grade 10 Cents note from the Straits Settlements dated 1918, printed by FMS (Federated Malay States printer). The note displays the characteristic yellow-green obverse with the Government of the Straits Settlements promise to pay, accompanied by a heraldic crest and circular validation stamp. The reverse features an ornate red/mauve heraldic shield with cross emblem surrounded by elaborate scrollwork. Despite significant age-related foxing, yellowing, and official stamp markings indicating circulation or archival handling, the design remains well-defined and the note represents an important emergency currency issue from WWI-era Malaya.
Common. The Straits Settlements 1918 10 Cents issue in P-6b variety appears in multiple PMG population variants (P-6a, P-6b, P-6bs, P-6c documented), indicating substantial original print runs. VF-grade examples represent mid-range specimens that appeared regularly in circulation and institutional collections. No evidence of recall, short print runs, or scarcity premium exists for this denomination and year. Government emergency currency issues from this period were produced in quantities sufficient to support wartime commerce.
This 1918 issue represents the Straits Settlements' Government-backed currency during World War I, when traditional banking facilities were disrupted and emergency small-denomination notes were essential for local commerce in Singapore and the Strait ports. The heraldic emblem featuring a cross on the reverse reflects British colonial sovereignty and the official nature of this government fiat currency. The bilingual English and partial Chinese inscriptions demonstrate the multicultural commercial environment of this major Southeast Asian trading hub under British administration.
The obverse features a formal government promissory note layout in yellow-green, centered on the denomination and issuing authority text. A heraldic crest or coat of arms is positioned at top center, symbolizing colonial governmental authority. The upper left corner bears a circular stamp or seal mark, likely representing official validation or archival inspection marks common to high-value institutional holdings. The reverse displays an ornamental design dominated by a shield-shaped heraldic emblem crowned with a cross at its apex—the coat of arms of the Straits Settlements—surrounded by elaborate Victorian-era scrollwork and floral ornamentation in red and mauve tones on cream paper. No portraits are depicted, which is typical of government promissory notes of this era that emphasized institutional authority rather than individual figures.
FRONT: 'The Government of the Straits Settlements' (English); 'Ten Cents' (English); 'Local Currency for value received' (English); '36720' (serial number or reference); Partial Chinese characters '国民' (National/People). BACK: 'Singapore' (English); '10¢' (English denomination abbreviation); 'Ten Cents' (English).
Letterpress/relief printing, characteristic of early 20th-century government security printing. The note was produced by FMS (Federated Malay States printing facilities), utilizing traditional intaglio and letterpress methods to achieve the crisp definition visible in the heraldic emblem and ornamental borders. The color separation technique (yellow-green obverse, red/mauve reverse on cream stock) indicates multi-run printing typical of the period.
This note is catalogued as P-6b (Pick number 6, variant b), with FMS as the confirmed printer. The PMG population report identifies four documented variants for this base Pick number: P-6a, P-6b, P-6bs, and P-6c, all printed by FMS. Specific variety differentiation typically relates to printer marks, overprints, or serial number series. The date notation '1.04.1918' indicates April 1, 1918. Observable details include serial number 36720 and the presence of a circular validation stamp in the upper left, consistent with institutional archival handling rather than characteristic variety markers.
