1 yuan 1936

Common. Despite the note's aesthetic appeal and historical significance, eBay sales data demonstrates consistent availability across a wide range of conditions and grades. UNC examples have sold regularly from $1.99 to $41.01, with most UNC sales clustering between $3-$12, indicating robust market supply. Even premium PMG-graded examples (65-67) historically sell in the $20-$500 range depending on market conditions, with price variation attributable more to collector demand fluctuations than scarcity. The large print run by Central Bank of China in 1936 and subsequent decades of circulation have ensured adequate survival rates.

Issued during the early Republican period of China, this 1936 note reflects the Central Bank of China's attempts to establish monetary authority and national currency standardization following the tumultuous early decades of the Republic of China (founded 1912). The reverse's depiction of the meeting between Confucius and Lao Tzu, two of China's most revered philosophical figures, served as a symbolic assertion of cultural continuity and legitimacy for the young Republic. The bilingual English/Chinese inscriptions and professional engraving demonstrate the Central Bank's aspirations toward modern, internationally-recognized currency standards during a period of significant political and economic transition.

The obverse features a formal profile portrait of Sun Yat-sen (1866-1925), founder of the Republic of China, positioned on the right side within an ornate oval frame and rendered in fine detail. The left side displays a large decorative dragon medallion—a symbol of imperial authority and Chinese sovereignty—with elaborate scrollwork and the denomination characters '壹圓' (One Yuan) centrally placed. The note is framed with intricate geometric and floral border patterns typical of early 20th-century Chinese currency design. The reverse depicts a historically-significant scene representing the legendary meeting between Confucius (551-479 BCE) and Lao Tzu (founder of Taoism), with multiple figures in traditional Chinese robes accompanying horse-drawn carriages and palanquins, establishing a thematic connection between the Republic's present and China's philosophical heritage. The entire composition employs fine line engraving with sophisticated color separation.

OBVERSE: Serial number 'A711739J' appears twice (top left and right). Chinese inscriptions read '中央銀行' (Central Bank of China) and '中華民國五十二年' (Republic of China Year 52, corresponding to 1936 in the ROC calendar system). REVERSE: English inscriptions include 'THE CENTRAL BANK OF CHINA' (top), 'ONE YUAN' (center denomination), 'NATIONAL CURRENCY' (below center), and '1936' (year). Official signatures are labeled 'S.K. Liebia' (General Manager) and 'H.A. Rung' (Governor). Printer attribution reads 'CHUNG HWA BOOK CO., LTD.' at bottom. Serial number 'A711739J' appears twice in lower portion.

This note was produced using intaglio (engraved) printing, evidenced by the fine line detail work, color separation between red/blue and brown/tan elements, and the precise execution of portraits and historical scenes. The printer is identified as Chung Hwa Book Co., Ltd. (also known as CHB in catalog references), a Shanghai-based security printer. Multiple color runs were required—red and blue on the obverse, dark brown on the reverse—indicating professional multi-pass production standards typical of Central Bank currency authentication of the 1930s.

The observed serial number is A711739J, indicating a single-letter prefix variety (A-series). Pick 211a denotes this as the standard 1936 issue type. No overprints or date variations are apparent on this example. Signatures present are S.K. Liebia (General Manager) and H.A. Rung (Governor), representing the standard signature combination for this issuing period. Future collectors should note that different signature varieties and serial number prefixes exist across the 1936 emission, potentially affecting variety preferences among advanced collectors.