Commonwealth of Australia Ten Shillings Banknote

This item is a historical Australian banknote, specifically a 'Ten Shillings' note, issued by the Commonwealth of Australia. The note prominently features the denomination 'TEN SHILLINGS' in large letters across the center. To the left, there is a detailed depiction of the Australian Coat of Arms, featuring a kangaroo and an emu supporting a shield. On the right side, there is a portrait of a distinguished-looking male figure, likely a historical personage of significance to Australia. The note has serial numbers 'AH 605063' repeated twice, along with '53' below 'AH', suggesting its series and potentially its year of issuance or a batch number. The text 'LEGAL TENDER IN THE COMMONWEALTH AND IN ALL TERRITORIES UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE COMMONWEALTH' is visible, affirming its legal status. Below this, there are two signatures, identified as 'H.C. Coombs' (Governor, Reserve Bank of Australia) and 'Roland Wilson' (Secretary to the Treasury), which are crucial for identifying the specific issue period. The overall color scheme appears to be a muted yellow/beige with dark brown or black printing, consistent with older paper currency. The note shows clear signs of age and circulation, including visible creases, folds, and potentially some discoloration, indicating a used but relatively intact condition. The edges appear somewhat soft, and there might be minor edge wear. The craftsmanship is typical of government-issued currency, focusing on security features and clear printing, although the image resolution does not allow for detailed inspection of watermarks or specific security threads. Based on the signatures (H.C. Coombs and Roland Wilson) and the serial number format, this note likely dates from the mid-20th century. The presence of surrounding coins indicates its relative size, being larger than the accompanying coinage.