100 dollars 1928

Common. The catalog value of $12 VF (2016) and observed eBay transaction prices ranging from $3.50-$8.50 for comparable grades indicate steady collector availability without scarcity premiums. While this represents quality early Chinese central bank currency, the note was issued as part of a regular circulation series by a major international security printer, ensuring substantial surviving populations. The Central Bank of China's broad 1928 series printing runs were not limited, and VF examples continue to appear regularly in the secondary market.

This note was issued during the Chinese Nationalist government's period of consolidating monetary control, with the Central Bank of China established to modernize the nation's currency system following years of warlordism and provincial fragmentation. The Shanghai printing location and English language prominence reflect the city's role as the financial center of the era, while the 1928 date coincides with the completion of the Northern Expedition and the establishment of the Nanjing-based Nationalist government. The formal portraiture and bilingual design accommodated both domestic use and the significant foreign commercial interests operating in treaty ports.

The obverse features a traditional Chinese design aesthetic with ornate scrollwork and floral motifs in brown and green, centered on a large cartouche bearing the denomination in Chinese characters. Red seal stamps and corner ornaments emphasize official authority. The reverse showcases a formal portrait of what is identified in historical records as Sun Yat-sen (though the visual analysis does not name the subject), positioned centrally within an ornate circular frame rendered in purple, the dominant color of the reverse design. The frame incorporates Chinese national emblems and symmetrical decorative elements. Large white '100' numerals anchor the upper corners, while fine engraved geometric and floral patterns provide security through complexity. The dual-language approach (Chinese on obverse, English on reverse) facilitated international commerce in Shanghai.

FRONT: '中央銀行' (Central Bank), '壹百圓' (One Hundred Yuan), '海上' (Shanghai), '中華民國印造' (Republic of China Printed), '惠民國民政府特許' (Approved by Nationalist Government), Serial number 'SC351435AB'. BACK: 'THE CENTRAL BANK OF CHINA', 'ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS', 'NATIONAL CURRENCY', 'SHANGHAI', '1928', 'ASST. GENERAL MANAGER', 'GENERAL MANAGER', '100', 'AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY'.

Steel-plate intaglio engraving executed by the American Bank Note Company (ABNC), with evidence of fine-line security engraving throughout. The intricate portrait rendering, complex geometric borders, and detailed scrollwork patterns are characteristic of ABNC's high-security processes from this period. The color separation technique allowing distinct brown/cream/green obverse and purple reverse indicates sophisticated multi-plate chromatic printing.

This example is identified as Pick P-199e, indicating it is a specific variety within the 1928 Central Bank of China 100 Dollar series. The serial number 'SC351435AB' places this note within documented printing blocks; the 'SC' prefix typically indicates Shanghai printing. No significant overprints, date varieties, or signature varieties are noted on this specimen. The consistent design characteristics (ABNC printing, purple reverse, formal portraiture) confirm alignment with the standard P-199e specification.