100 yen 1945

Common. Japanese Military notes (Gumpyo) from 1945, particularly 100 Yen denominations, were produced in substantial quantities during the occupation period. While individual specimens in high grades like PMG 65 EPQ command collector premiums, the underlying note itself is not scarce. The PMG population report indicating only one catalogued variant supports this note's straightforward status within the P-M29 series.

This Japanese Military note was issued in 1945 during Japan's occupation of China in the final year of World War II. The depiction of Japanese temple architecture and the prominent use of Japanese text alongside Chinese inscriptions underscore the military occupation's cultural and administrative presence in occupied territories. The red overprint stamps visible on the front were security features applied to these occupation notes to control circulation and prevent counterfeiting during a period of monetary instability.

The obverse features an ornate border with floral and geometric patterns framing a composition that includes a Japanese pagoda or temple structure on the left side, symbolizing Japan's cultural influence. A male portrait appears in three-quarter profile on the right side, likely representing a military or political figure of the occupation period. The reverse presents a more elaborate Japanese landscape vignette depicting a temple or shrine complex set among mountains and pine trees, centered within decorative floral cartouches and bordered by mythical beast ornaments typical of East Asian design traditions. The color scheme of tan and beige with brown and black ink creates an austere, official appearance appropriate to military scrip.

Front Side: '中央銀行市場中國' (Central Bank of China Market China); '百圓' (100 Yen); '日本軍票' (Japanese Military Note); '100' (Arabic numeral denomination). Back Side: '手軍票甲' (Military Note Type A); '百圓' (100 Yen); Central cartouche contains additional Chinese/Japanese characters identifying the issuing authority and denomination validation.

Intaglio engraving (recess printing), evidenced by the complex line work, fine details in the landscape vignette, and crisp impression of decorative borders and portraits. The red overprint stamps were applied as a secondary security feature, likely via lithographic or letterpress printing. Japanese military occupation notes of this period were typically produced by Japanese government security printers including the Imperial Japanese Government Printing Bureau.

This example is identified as the standard P-M29 variant with red overprint stamps characteristic of late-period (1945) Japanese Military notes. No specific signature varieties or date variations are apparent from the visual analysis. The overprint configuration and paper tone are consistent with final-year occupation currency issued as Japan's military position deteriorated.