10 cents custom gold units 1930

Common. While the catalog value for UNC examples is listed at $250 (2016 estimate), eBay market data shows actual realized prices significantly lower: an UNC example sold for $56.33 in 2009, and a PMG 58 graded example sold for $202.50 in 2022. These modest market prices, combined with the note's status as a regular issue from a major central bank with presumably substantial print runs, indicate this is a common note in the collector market. The denomination (10 cents) and issue from a well-established authority suggest high original mintage.

This note was issued during the early Republican period of China (1930), when the Central Bank of China was establishing standardized currency in Shanghai following the consolidation of monetary authority. The denominator in 'Customs Gold Units' reflects China's transition to a gold-standard-backed currency system during this era, replacing the previous silver-based monetary system. The architectural prominence of the Central Bank building on the reverse symbolized the modernization and institutional legitimacy of the young Republic of China's financial infrastructure.

The obverse features a formal portrait of Sun Yat-sen (founder of the Republic of China) in a center oval, depicted as a man with facial hair (mustache and goatee) wearing formal Western dress with a high collar, facing forward. The portrait is surrounded by ornate decorative borders with fine floral patterns in the corners and elaborate guilloche work in purple, red, and green. Red rectangular seals flank the portrait below, and a decorative floral medallion with Chinese characters is centered beneath. The reverse displays a classical multi-story bank building with architectural detail including a clock tower, columned entrance, and refined architectural rendering—representing the Central Bank of China's headquarters in Shanghai. The building is framed within ornamental borders and banknote-style architectural framing elements. Both sides maintain the purple and red color scheme with cream/beige background tones.

OBVERSE: Central Bank (中央銀行) | Shanghai (海上) | Republic of China (中華民國) | Serial Number: 131776. REVERSE: THE CENTRAL BANK OF CHINA | 10 CENTS | CUSTOMS GOLD UNITS | PROMISES TO PAY THE BEARER ON DEMAND AT ITS OFFICE HERE | SHANGHAI, 1930 | AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY | NO. [Serial Number 131776] | GENERAL MANAGER / ASSISTANT MANAGER | W. Lisiche Ohing [signature/name]

Intaglio engraving (line engraving) executed by the American Bank Note Company (ABNC), one of the world's premier security printers of the era. The visual analysis reveals intricate line engraving throughout, complex decorative borders with fine detail, and ornamental patterns demonstrating the high-security production standards characteristic of ABNC's work. The fine detail rendering of both the portrait and the architectural landmark on the reverse, combined with the sophisticated guilloche patterns, indicates steel-plate intaglio printing, which was the standard method for high-value currency production in 1930.

Pick catalog number P-323a indicates this is variety 'a' of the 10 Cents note. The serial number 131776 is observed in red on both obverse and reverse. The printer attribution to ABNC and the Shanghai 1930 date are consistent with the standard issue. The signature/printed name 'W. Lisiche Ohing' appears on the reverse as General Manager or Assistant Manager. Without additional visual evidence of date variations, overprints, or signature changes, no additional varieties can be definitively identified from this specimen, though the catalog designation suggests multiple varieties (a, b, etc.) exist for this denomination.