10 Francs, Belgian Congo, 1896 (Pick 1a)

This 10 Francs note was issued in Belgian Congo, dated 1896. It belongs to the Franc (1887-1908) currency system. Issuing authority and period recorded in the catalogue: Leopold II (1885-1908). It measures 145 × 70 mm and is printed on paper. The Standard Catalog of World Paper Money lists the type as Pick 1a.

Obverse: Black print, with red serial numbers. In the center an angel with a cornucopia, and buildings and a bridge behind. Above is the country name and to the sides the value. To the left of the angel is a promissory text and serial number. Scripts: Latin and Latin (cursive). Its lettering reads “ÉTAT INDÉPENDANT DU / CONGO / DIX FRANCS / PAYABLES AU PORTEUR À / LA TRÉSORERIE GÉNÉRALE DE L'ETAT”. Translation given in the catalogue: “Independent State of Congo Ten Francs Payable to bearer to the General State Treasury”.

Reverse: Brown print. Woman in a frame to the left looking left and a flower pattern to the right with the value written out in French. Value in the corners and in the top and bottom the country name. Its lettering reads “10 ETAT INDEPENDANT 10 / DIX / 10 DU CONGO 10”. Translation given in the catalogue: “Independent State of Congo Ten”. The note was printed by Waterlow & Sons Limited, United Kingdom (1810-1961). Demonetized: Yes.

Identification note: match the value, issuing bank, printed date and Pick number together; dates and signature combinations distinguish sub-varieties, which are not separated in this entry. Details follow the Numista catalogue entry and the Standard Catalog reference it cites; they have not been checked against a central-bank archive.