10 pounds 1981

Common. This is a regular issue banknote from a major African nation with no documented print run restrictions or recalls. eBay market data confirms its common status: recent sales show UNC examples at $151.79 (2023) and $90 catalog value (2019), while lower grades consistently sell for $7-$20, indicating steady supply and routine collector demand. The note was issued in substantial quantities and remains readily available in various grades.

Issued in 1981 during the regime of President Jafar Muhammad an-Numeiri, this note reflects Sudan's focus on industrial and agricultural development in the post-Nasser era. The prominent depiction of the Kenana sugar factory on the reverse underscores the nation's emphasis on economic modernization and agricultural processing as cornerstones of national development. The nationalist motto inscribed on the obverse ('Unite people of the nation') reflects the political ideology of Numeiri's era of centralized governance.

The obverse features a three-quarter profile portrait of President Jafar Muhammad an-Numeiri positioned at the left, depicted wearing his characteristic glasses and traditional white turban (national headdress). The central design incorporates an ornamental star-shaped cartouche containing Arabic text, flanked by decorative geometric borders in blues and earth tones. Cotton plant illustrations with white blossoms appear on the right side, symbolizing Sudan's agricultural heritage. The reverse depicts an engraved industrial complex representing the Kenana sugar factory, a major manufacturing facility, rendered with detailed smokestacks and multiple buildings. The Bank of Sudan coat of arms featuring an eagle is prominently positioned at the top center, with additional decorative emblematic shields and cotton plant motifs on the margins. The color palette combines blue-gray, green, white, and yellow-gold throughout both sides.

Front side: 'بنك السودان' (Bank of Sudan); 'اتحد يا اهل الوطن بالحدود المعلن عن الموارد الخارجية والداخلية' (Unite people of the nation with declared external and internal resources); '10' (denomination numeral); 'عشرة جنيهات' (Ten Pounds in Arabic); Serial number 'E 12 721595'. Back side: 'BANK OF SUDAN' (English inscription); '10' (denomination numeral); 'Ten Sudanese Pounds' (English denomination text); 'شارع ركشان' (Rukshan Street/location reference in Arabic).

Intaglio (line engraving) printing process, evident from the fine detailed line work visible throughout both sides, particularly in the portrait rendering, decorative borders, and the industrial complex illustration. The note was printed by TDLR (Waterlow & Sons or De La Rue subsidiary), as indicated by the PMG catalog notation for variant P-20a. Multiple color separation plates were employed to achieve the multicolor underprint effect with blue, green, pink-mauve, and yellow-gold hues.

This note is catalogued as Pick P-20a with printer TDLR. The observed specimen displays serial number prefix 'E 12', indicating a specific printing batch. PMG has identified one variant for this Pick number (P-20a). The serial number 'E 12 721595' suggests mid-range production from the initial printing run. Later variants exist (notably Pick P-27 as referenced in the catalog), reflecting subsequent design modifications or reissues during later Sudanese currency periods.