1000 gold yuan 1949
Market Prices
14 salesAbout This Note
This is a 1949 Chinese 1000 Gold Yuan note (Pick P-411) issued by the Central Bank of China in Fine condition. The note features elegant mauve and brown coloring with a formal portrait on the obverse and a traditional Chinese pavilion on the reverse, both rendered in fine line engraving. While showing expected aging and light foxing consistent with a 75-year-old banknote, it remains well-preserved without significant tears or creases, representing a solid example of late-period Republican Chinese currency.
Common. The eBay price data provided shows consistent sales in the $7.69–$23 range for F-condition notes over the past 15 years, with typical catalog values around $3–$6 for comparable grades. This denomination was issued in substantial quantities by the Central Bank of China in 1949, and surviving examples are readily available in the market. Print run figures support widespread circulation before the currency transition.
Issued in 1949 as the Central Bank of China's final gold yuan denomination notes before the Communist takeover and transition to the People's Bank of China, this banknote represents the twilight of Nationalist Chinese currency. The inclusion of English text ('THE CENTRAL BANK OF CHINA,' 'ONE THOUSAND GOLD YUAN') reflects the international banking standards and Western influence prevalent in Republican-era Chinese finance. The depicted traditional Chinese pavilion on the reverse symbolizes continuity with Chinese cultural heritage during a period of severe political and economic upheaval.
The obverse features a formal portrait of an unidentified dignitary in left profile, wearing formal Western attire with collar detail, rendered in fine security line work characteristic of period banknote engraving. Ornate floral and scrollwork corner designs frame the portrait in traditional Chinese aesthetic. A central circular medallion displays traditional Chinese design elements, with two red seal stamps providing official authorization marks. The reverse showcases a multi-tiered traditional Chinese pavilion or temple building rendered in architectural detail, centered within an elaborate ornamental border of floral and scrollwork patterns. Denomination cartouches appear in the corners displaying '1000' in decorative numerals.
FRONT SIDE: Central Bank (中央银行), One Thousand Yuan (壹仟圆), Serial Number 860427, Plate Designation 2-R, Yining (伊寧). BACK SIDE: The Central Bank of China (English), One Thousand Gold Yuan (English), 1949 (date), General Manager (signature line), Governor (signature line), Chung Hwa Book Co. Ltd. (printer attribution).
Intaglio engraving (line engraving) throughout, as evidenced by the fine line work visible in the portrait, intricate background patterns, and detailed architectural rendering. The printer is identified as Chung Hwa Book Co. Ltd., a Shanghai-based security printer. The complexity of the border work, security line patterns in the portrait, and multi-color registration indicate professional security printing standards of the late 1940s.
Plate designation '2-R' is noted on the obverse. Serial number 860427 appears to be from a standard numbering series. The 'Yining' (伊寧) location inscription indicates this note may be from a specific regional issue or printing facility. No major known varieties for Pick P-411 have been documented, though signature varieties (Governor and General Manager lines) may exist across different printing runs from 1949.
