100 yuan 1945

Uncommon. Soviet Military occupation currency from 1945 was issued in limited quantities for a brief administrative period (August-December 1945) and represents a specialized collecting category with naturally smaller surviving populations compared to standard national currency issues. The Pick M34 100 yuan denomination from this series has moderate scarcity but is not considered rare, as these notes were produced in reasonable quantities during the occupation period. Condition grades above Fine become progressively scarcer due to the nature of circulation and preservation challenges of 80-year-old paper.

This currency was issued by Soviet forces following their entry into the Pacific War in August 1945, when the Red Army occupied Manchuria and issued military occupation currency for local transactions. The inscription 'Soviet Red Army Command Headquarters' (蘇聯紅軍司令部) and the wartime law counterfeiting warning reflect the military administrative context of this issue. These notes circulated briefly before Soviet withdrawal and represent a fascinating numismatic record of Cold War origins and Sino-Soviet military operations.

The banknote employs a non-portraiture design characteristic of military occupation currency, emphasizing ornamental security elements rather than depicting leaders or national symbols. The central design features large Chinese denomination characters (壹佰圓) enclosed in decorative cartouches on both sides. Four corner ornaments contain large '100' numerals within baroque scrollwork frames. The border design incorporates cloud motifs, floral and vegetation patterns, and elaborate cross-hatching throughout, creating an intricate engraved appearance. The color scheme of blue and peach/tan tones provides visual security differentiation. No portraits, landmarks, or representational imagery appear—the design relies entirely on ornamental complexity and fine engraving detail as anti-counterfeiting measures.

Front side: '蘇聯紅軍司令部' (Soviet Red Army Command Headquarters); '壹佰圓' (One Hundred Yuan); '一九四五年' (Year 1945); '為一切支付必使用' (Must be used for all payments); Serial number '00 069937'. Reverse side: '壹佰圓' (One Hundred Yuan); '偽造支票以戰時法處罰' (Counterfeiting checks punishable under wartime law).

Intaglio engraving (recess printing), evidenced by the deep, crisp detail visible in the ornamental scrollwork, fine cross-hatching patterns, and baroque flourishes throughout both sides. The sharp definition of numerals and decorative elements, combined with the embossed appearance of the design patterns, confirms classical engraving methodology. The printer for Soviet Military occupation currency during this period was typically handled through Soviet military printing facilities, with production likely occurring in Manchuria or transported from Soviet sources. No specific commercial security printer name appears on this note.

Serial number observed: 00 069937. This note represents the standard design type for Pick M34. Known varieties of Soviet occupation currency from this period may include different serial number prefixes and ranges. The specific serial number prefix '00' may indicate an earlier printing sequence. No overprints, date variations, or signature varieties are apparent on this example, as Soviet military occupation notes typically lacked signature varieties.