1000 yuan 1944
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7 salesAbout This Note
This is a 1000 yuan banknote issued by the Central Bank of China in 1944 (Republic of China Year 33), graded VF condition. The note features a well-preserved portrait of Sun Yat-sen on the obverse with an ornate architectural P'ai-lou gateway on the right, rendered in brown, green, blue and cream tones with intricate line work. Despite showing age-appropriate patina and minor foxing consistent with an 80-year-old historical artifact, the note retains sharp detail and structural integrity, making it a representative mid-grade example of this wartime Chinese currency.
Common. This note sells regularly on the secondary market at modest prices ($8-$12 for VF condition according to eBay sales history from 2015-2021), with even lower-grade examples (F condition) trading at $5-$8. The 2016 catalogue valuation of $10 for VF grade aligns with observed market prices. Regular issues from the Central Bank of China's 1944 series were produced in substantial quantities and remain readily available to collectors, indicating no scarcity premium.
This 1944 banknote was issued during the final year of the Second Sino-Japanese War, a period of significant economic stress for the Republic of China. The portrait of Sun Yat-sen (the founding father of the Republic) reinforced national identity and legitimacy during wartime, while the traditional P'ai-lou architectural gateway symbolized Chinese cultural continuity. The denomination in both Chinese characters (壹仟圓) and the inscription referencing the Republic's year numbering (Year 33 = 1944) reflect the nationalist government's attempt to maintain economic stability and cultural authority amid warfare and inflation.
The obverse features a three-quarter profile portrait of Sun Yat-sen (1866-1925), founder of the Republic of China, positioned at the left in formal attire with traditional Chinese collar styling. The central cartouche contains the denomination in Chinese characters within an ornamental frame. The right side depicts a P'ai-lou (Chinese ceremonial gateway/archway), a symbol of official authority and traditional Chinese architecture, rendered as a multi-tiered structure typical of imperial-era gateways. The reverse presents a symmetrical decorative composition dominated by elaborate scrollwork, flourishes, and geometric border patterns centered around a large cartouche bearing the denomination. Red seal chops/stamps appear throughout as security features. The overall design employs classical banknote engraving aesthetics with fine parallel line work creating texture and security depth.
Obverse: 中央銀行 (Central Bank), 壹仟圓 (One Thousand Yuan), 中華民國三十三年 (Republic of China Year 33 [1944]), B0631356 (Serial Number). Reverse: 壹仟圓 (One Thousand Yuan), 1000 (numerical denomination), 民國造幣廠印製 (Printed by the Republic of China Mint).
Intaglio engraving (line engraving), evidenced by the fine parallel line work, intricate scrollwork, and deep detail visible throughout both sides. The note was printed by the Republic of China Mint (民國造幣廠), indicated on the reverse. The precision of the geometric patterns, the ornamental cartouches, and the portrait rendering are characteristic of high-quality copper-plate intaglio printing employed by government mints of this era.
This note carries the serial number B0631356, suggesting it is from the regular production run of Pick 268a. No overprints or date variations are visible. The standard variety for this Pick number is 268a (regular issue); variant 268b exists but is not applicable here. The red serial number and standard 1944 dating are consistent with the primary variety for this denomination and year of issue.
