10 000 yuan 1947

Common. The eBay price tracking data shows consistent sales activity across multiple condition grades over more than a decade (2012-2023), with UNC specimens achieving $25-35 in recent sales. The existence of documented 'paper and serial number varieties' suggests a substantial print run with circulation. While the note is from 1947 and historically significant, the active secondary market and affordable pricing across all grades indicate this Pick number was produced in sufficient quantities to remain readily available to collectors.

Issued during the final years of the Republic of China before the Communist takeover, this 1947 note reflects the Central Bank of China's continued use of classical engraving techniques and formal portraiture. The ornamental design with Chinese characters and official seal elements (局長, 副局長) emphasizes the institutional authority of the issuing bank during a period of significant political and economic transition in China. This denomination represented a substantial value during the post-WWII inflation period in the Chinese economy.

The obverse features a formal portrait of a man in official attire positioned within an ornate oval frame on the left side, rendered in fine engraved style characteristic of security printing of the era. The portrait is flanked by decorative corner medallions containing Chinese characters and elaborate scrollwork border patterns. The center displays a large ornamental cartouche with Chinese denominations and issuing authority information. The reverse employs a symmetrical layout with four decorative circular cartouches prominently displaying the numeral '10000' and a central circular medallion containing floral engraved designs. The entire composition is framed by a complex repeating geometric and floral border pattern. This design reflects classical Central Bank of China aesthetics from the Republican era.

FRONT: Serial number 'UU890620' (alphanumeric identifier); '中央銀行' (Central Bank); '壹萬圓' (10,000 Yuan). BACK: '壹萬圓' (10,000 Yuan); '10000' (Arabic numeral denomination); '局長' (Bureau Chief/Director); '副局長' (Deputy Director); '凍定' (Frozen/Fixed - signature line designation). Note: The visual analysis indicates '中華民國四十六年' (Republic of China Year 46) which would correspond to 1957 in the Western calendar, though the catalog lists this note as 1947; this likely reflects the ROC dating system where Year 1 = 1912.

Intaglio/engraving printing on multiple color plates, producing the blue, purple, red, black, and cream color palette observed. The fine line work visible throughout the border designs, the sharp detail in the portrait oval frame, and the crisp denomination numerals all confirm multi-plate engraved intaglio production. The printer information referenced in the catalog (5 characters, Chinese printer) is consistent with Central Bank of China security printing practices, though the specific printer name is not fully legible in the images provided.

The catalog data specifically notes '2 paper and serial number varieties' for this Pick P-320. The observed specimen bears serial number 'UU890620,' which may correspond to one of these documented varieties. Serial number prefixes (such as the 'UU' observed here) are the primary markers for distinguishing varieties in this issue. Additional varieties may exist related to paper type or printing details, but precise variety classification would require comparison with reference collections or detailed Pick catalog supplementary notes.