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The 1950D $10 Federal Reserve Note in Uncirculated (UNC) condition stands as a pristine example of mid-20th-century U.S. currency, capturing the transitional aesthetics and monetary policies of post–World War II America. As part of the long-running 1950 series, the “D” designation indicates the fourth iteration in a sequence that extended through 1950E. Issued during a period marked by economic growth and the Cold War's early years, the 1950D $10 bill preserves the traditional design introduced in the 1928 series while incorporating subtle revisions in signatures and layout mandated by changes within the Treasury Department. In uncirculated condition, this note retains all the crispness, detail, and color it had when it first left the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP), making it a highly desirable specimen among collectors of Federal Reserve Notes.
The face of the note features a portrait of Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury, facing left in a dignified pose. Hamilton’s image is deeply engraved, surrounded by intricate lines and scrollwork that showcase the high-quality intaglio printing used by the BEP. Above the portrait is the phrase “THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” while “TEN DOLLARS” appears prominently below. To the left of the portrait is the black seal of the Federal Reserve Bank that issued the note, with the bank’s corresponding letter and district number (e.g., “C3” for Philadelphia). To the right is the green U.S. Treasury seal, a hallmark of small-size Federal Reserve Notes introduced in 1928 and retained through successive series.
Two green serial numbers appear on the face, one in the upper right and one in the lower left. These consist of a prefix letter, an eight-digit number, and a suffix letter, identifying the note’s sequence within its printing block. Unlike STAR notes, which feature a star in place of the suffix letter, regular notes like this 1950D use a standard alphabetical suffix. Beneath the portrait, the note includes the inscription: “This note is legal tender for all debts, public and private,” affirming its role as government-backed currency in all transactions. The 1950D series was signed by Ivy Baker Priest as Treasurer of the United States and George M. Humphrey as Secretary of the Treasury, both of whose facsimile signatures appear at the bottom left and right of the portrait, respectively.
The reverse of the note retains the established design showcasing the U.S. Treasury Building in Washington, D.C. The building is portrayed from the southeast perspective, with detailed columns, steps, and a tree-lined avenue captured in meticulous engraved detail. The surrounding design includes the inscriptions “THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” at the top and “TEN DOLLARS” at the bottom. The large numeral “10” appears in each corner, reinforcing the denomination for easy public identification. This reverse design had been in use since 1928 and would remain unchanged until the introduction of radically redesigned notes beginning in the 1990s.
The note is printed on a distinctive cotton-linen blend paper embedded with red and blue security fibers. These fibers were one of the earliest forms of counterfeit deterrence, offering visual and textural cues of authenticity. The BEP used intaglio printing plates that created raised ink textures on elements like Hamilton’s portrait, the serial numbers, and the seals. In uncirculated condition, these raised elements are still sharply defined, with the tactile qualities fully preserved. The green and black inks retain their vibrancy, and the paper remains crisp, free from folds, stains, tears, or handling marks.
Uncirculated (UNC) condition signifies that the note has never been used in circulation and shows no signs of wear. The paper is bright, corners are sharp, and the printing is exceptionally clean. Notes in this condition often qualify for grading by third-party services such as PMG or PCGS Banknote, where they may receive designations like Gem UNC 65 or Superb Gem UNC 67, depending on centering, margins, and overall eye appeal. A 1950D $10 in UNC condition is much scarcer than circulated examples, as most notes from this series entered commerce and were used extensively over the ensuing decades.
The 1950D series was printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and distributed through the twelve regional Federal Reserve Banks. Each issuing bank is identified on the note by both the district seal and the prefix letter in the serial number. For example, a note with a “B” prefix and the New York bank seal would have been issued by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Notes from some districts—especially Minneapolis (I) or San Francisco (L)—are more difficult to find in uncirculated condition and may command premiums depending on scarcity and collector demand.
Federal Reserve Notes from the 1950D series were part of a broad issuance campaign intended to maintain currency supply while reflecting changes in Treasury personnel. They were printed in large quantities but were used heavily in commerce throughout the 1950s and 1960s, leading to the vast majority being worn, folded, or destroyed. Surviving examples in UNC condition are relatively scarce today, especially as time increases attrition through mishandling or poor storage. Those retained in original bank straps or collector hoards are now valued for their pristine state and historical continuity with earlier and later note designs.
The appeal of the 1950D $10 in UNC condition lies in its visual clarity and full preservation of a classic Federal Reserve Note design. For collectors, this note is often part of a type set of 1950-series denominations or a more specific focus on postwar currency. Its clean layout, traditional typography, and finely engraved imagery evoke a period of economic confidence and institutional solidity. Whether acquired for its aesthetic value, historical significance, or place in a progression of $10 note designs, it holds a prominent role in any serious U.S. currency collection.
In conclusion, the 1950D $10 Federal Reserve Note in Uncirculated condition represents the convergence of durability, design tradition, and Cold War-era monetary history. As a high-grade example of one of the last traditionally styled small-size notes prior to the redesigns of the late 20th century, it offers collectors a chance to hold a piece of classic American currency at its peak form. Its rarity in UNC grade, especially with sharp corners, vivid inks, and no signs of handling, ensures its enduring value and appeal to numismatists who appreciate both form and historical context in paper money collecting.