10 Rufiyaa with Rufiyaa Sign

The Maldives adopted a polymer substrate for this denomination, continuing a broader regional shift toward Guardian polymer for small island states where humidity, saltwater exposure, and limited banking infrastructure accelerate the deterioration of cotton-linen paper notes faster than almost anywhere else. De La Rue's Guardian polymer has been their answer to that problem across multiple Pacific and Indian Ocean issuers.

The Rufiyaa sign — ރ — incorporated into the denomination title marks a relatively recent push to formalize a dedicated currency symbol distinct from the ISO code MVR, mirroring similar moves by other currencies seeking typographic identity.