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Auction: 391 - World Banknotes at NY INC
Lot: 481

Government of the Straits Settlements, 10 Cents, 14th October 1919, serial number B/52 69844,
in the history of the Straits Settlements, 1919 stands out as a critical juncture marked by the echoes of World War I. The aftermath of the Great War disrupted trade routes and challenged the economic foundations of Singapore, Penang, and Malacca.
During this period, a severe shortage of currency prompted a noteworthy response from the colonial authorities-the issuance of emergency banknotes in 1919, known as the "1919 Provisional Government of the Straits Settlements" issues. This beautiful and high grade 10 Cents banknote, dated 14th October 1919, with the serial number B/52 69844, is a tangible link to this historical narrative.
These emergency banknotes, marked by unique designs and overprints, embodied the region's resilience. Crafted against the backdrop of global transitions in the post-war era, the financial policies of 1919 were connected with the broader colonial framework. The Straits Settlements, as British colonies, navigated both local challenges and wider geopolitical currents.
The emergency issues of 1919 tell a story beyond the numerical values printed on their surfaces, serving as windows into a time when economic resilience defined the Straits Settlements. As nations sought to rebuild and redefine their destinies, the region emerged as a beacon of adaptability.
In retrospect, these emergency banknotes, are more than historical artifacts. They narrate a chapter in the Straits Settlements' history-a chapter marked by challenges met with resourcefulness and an unwavering determination to forge a future amidst uncertainty
(Pick 8b, BNB 117b), in PMG holder 65 EPQ Gem Uncirculated, very scarce in this grade

Sold for
£2,800

Starting price
£750