100 yuan 1945
About This Note
This is a 500 yuan banknote from the Federal Reserve Bank of China (中國聯合準備銀行), issued in 1945 during the final year of Japanese occupation in China. The note features an ornate design with a traditional multi-tiered pagoda structure on the obverse and elaborate geometric patterns on the reverse, rendered in dark blue, cream, and black inks. In AU condition, this note displays light aging consistent with its 80-year history, with minimal creasing and no major tears, making it an attractive example of wartime Chinese currency.
common
The Federal Reserve Bank of China (中國聯合準備銀行) issued this currency in 1945 as part of China's response to Japanese occupation and the complex financial situation during World War II. The prominent pagoda depicted on the obverse represents traditional Chinese cultural heritage and was a common motif on Chinese currency of this era, serving as a symbol of national identity during wartime. The inscription referencing the Central Bank of the Republic of China on the reverse reflects the legitimacy claims of the Chinese Nationalist government during this turbulent period of Chinese history.
The obverse features an ornamental composition anchored by a traditional multi-tiered Chinese pagoda or temple structure rendered in dark blue on the left side, symbolizing Chinese architectural heritage. The denomination appears twice: once as large numerals '500' in an ornamental scalloped circular cartouche on the right, and again as Chinese characters '五百圓' (Five Hundred Yuan) in the center in both black and orange/tan inks. Red seals or stamps accent the central area, serving authentication purposes. Elaborate decorative borders frame the entire note in dark blue and cream colors, with corner medallions featuring cloud-like patterns typical of classical Chinese design. The reverse presents a more austere symmetric design dominated by a large '500' in the center within an ornate frame, flanked by elaborate scalloped border designs containing floral and geometric patterns. A circular emblem appears at the top center, with the issuing authority's name in a curved arrangement below the main denomination. Throughout both sides, intricate fine-line geometric patterns provide security features against counterfeiting.
Front side: 中國聯合準備銀行 (Central Reserve Bank of China), 五百圓 (Five Hundred Yuan), Serial number 0406219, Denomination 500. Back side: 中華民國中央銀行 (Central Bank of the Republic of China), Denomination 500.
Intaglio (engraved) printing, characteristic of banknote production during the 1940s. The fine detail work, intricate geometric line patterns, and precise rendition of the pagoda structure suggest advanced security printing techniques employed by professional banknote printers of the era. The layered color application and sharp definition of decorative elements are consistent with intaglio methods used for high-security currency production.
Pick J89 represents the standard 500 yuan issue from the Federal Reserve Bank of China for 1945. The observed serial number 0406219 appears to be a standard sequential number without obvious prefixes or special markings indicating a distinct variety. No overprints, signature varieties, or other distinguishing features indicating a documented sub-variety are apparent from the visual analysis.
