1 silver dollar 1949

Common. eBay market data shows consistent sales activity across multiple condition grades, with UNC examples selling for $27–$51 over a 10-year period. The 2016 catalog valuation of $35 for UNC aligns with observed market pricing. The note has a documented print run appropriate for a final-year 1 Yuan denomination regular issue, and no historical evidence suggests this Pick number was recalled or issued in limited quantities. Regular circulation and survival in UNC condition confirm this is a typical, widely available collectible rather than a scarce variety.

Issued in 1949, this note represents the final year of the Republic of China's currency before the Communist victory and establishment of the People's Republic. The design incorporates traditional Chinese maritime imagery—the junk depicted on the reverse symbolizes China's seafaring heritage—and bilingual English-Chinese text reflecting the Central Bank's international financial aspirations during this turbulent transitional period. The Canton printing location and 1949 date mark this as part of the last regular currency issues before the currency reform and hyperinflation that characterized the end of the Nationalist era.

The obverse features a classical Chinese design with an unidentified male figure in formal attire positioned within an ornate circular frame on the right side, likely representing a notable political or financial figure of the Republican era. The background is filled with elaborate scrollwork, geometric patterns, and a central floral medallion with cloud-like motifs characteristic of traditional Chinese artistic elements. Red seals and ornamental cartouches frame the inscription panels. The reverse displays a traditional Chinese junk with multiple rectangular sails set within a circular maritime vignette, surrounded by extensive decorative border work with floral corner ornaments. The bilingual presentation—Chinese characters in traditional script on the obverse and English text on the reverse—reflects the Central Bank's dual identity as both a Chinese institution and a participant in international finance.

FRONT: 中央銀行 (Central Bank) | 中華民國 (Republic of China) | 壹元銀 / 銀元壹圓 (One Silver Dollar/Yuan) | 民國三十八年 (Year 38 of the Republic [1949]) | Serial number: 019047 | Series designation: 1-F | 廣州 (Canton/Guangzhou). BACK: THE CENTRAL BANK OF CHINA | PROMISES TO PAY THE BEARER ON DEMAND | ONE SILVER DOLLAR | CANTON | 1949 | CHUNG HWA BOOK CO LTD (printer).

Intaglio (engraved) printing, as evidenced by the crisp, fine line-work, detailed scrollwork, geometric micropatterns, and the sharp reproduction of both the portrait and maritime vessel. The printer, Chung Hwa Book Company Limited, was a major Chinese security printer. The intricate border designs, fine facial details, and precise text rendering are hallmarks of high-quality intaglio banknote production typical of 1940s Central Bank note manufacturing.

Serial number 019047 with series designation 1-F indicates this is part of the first printing series. The Canton (廣州) location denotes this was printed at the Canton facility. No overprints, date variations, or signature varieties are apparent in the visual analysis. Standard 1949 printing from the final issue year of the Central Bank of China under the Republic.