Catalog
10 Pounds
| Issuer | Commonwealth Bank of Australia |
|---|---|
| Year | 1934-1939 |
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| Value | 10 Pounds |
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| Obverse description | A central vignette of King George V in military uniform, framed by ornate intaglio columns with elaborate guilloche work filling the background. The Royal Arms of Australia appears as an underprint at left, with serial numbers printed in red at upper left and upper right. Two manuscript signatures appear at the foot of the note, those of the Governor of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia at left and the Secretary to the Treasury at right. |
|---|---|
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| Reverse lettering | TEN POUNDS AGRICULTURE £10 |
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| Comments |
The Commonwealth Bank began printing its own notes in 1920 when the Note Printing Branch opened at Flinders Street, Melbourne — an unusual decision at a time when most dominion-era central banks still contracted British security printers. By the mid-1930s the Branch had refined its craft considerably, and this £10 note reflects that maturity. At ten pounds, the denomination represented roughly a week's wages for a skilled tradesman in Depression-era Australia, so genuine circulation examples saw hard use.
The Riddle-Sheehan signature pairing dates to 1938, when James Heathershaw's retirement brought H.J. Sheehan in as Assistant Secretary. Riddle himself, as Governor, had signed Australian notes continuously since 1925.