A Colonial Classic: The 1935 King George V Ten Dollars

Invest in a rare piece of British Colonial history with this 1935 Straits Settlements 10 Dollar note. Issued at the height of the British Administration in the Malay Peninsula, these notes served as the primary currency for Singapore, Penang, and Melaka. This series is celebrated for its classic Bradbury Wilkinson design and its vibrant, multi-colored security guilloche.

Historic & Design Highlights:

• Obverse (Front): A dignified portrait of King George V in military uniform on the right. The center features a sunburst-style security pattern with the date 1st January 1935. Text is presented in English, Chinese, and Jawi (Arabic-script Malay).

• Reverse (Back): Showcases a magnificent engraving of a Malayan Tiger prowling through the jungle, flanked by a medallion featuring the head of Britannia.

• Printer: Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co. Ltd., New Malden, Surrey, England.

• Signatory: For the Currency Commissioners.

Item Details:

• Issuer: Government of the Straits Settlements.

• Denomination: Ten Dollars ($10).

• Date: 1st January 1935.

• Pick Number: P-18b.

• Serial Number: C/5 54914.

• Grading: PMG 35 Choice Very Fine.

• Condition Note: PMG has noted "Repaired" on the reverse of the holder. This likely indicates a professional flattening of a fold or a minor edge reinforcement, common for high-value colonial notes intended to preserve their structural integrity for long-term collecting.

Collector's Perspective: The 1935 $10 note is the last of its kind before the Straits Settlements currency was replaced by the Board of Commissioners of Currency, Malaya. Because of its large size and high face value at the time, many were redeemed and destroyed during the currency transitions of the late 1930s. A Choice Very Fine example like this offers exceptional eye appeal and serves as a significant anchor for any Commonwealth or Singapore-based collection.