1000 yuan 1945
Market Prices
39 salesAbout This Note
This 1000 Yuan note from 1945 issued by the Central Bank of China (Pick-289) represents a fascinating example of Republic of China currency from the final year of World War II. The note displays characteristic brown coloring with ornate traditional Chinese decorative patterns and a central portrait in an oval medallion, alongside red official seals and serial numbers. In Fair condition, the note shows expected age-related wear including creasing, foxing, and staining typical of well-circulated mid-20th century Chinese currency, making it an affordable entry point for collectors of this historically significant period.
Common. Despite the historical significance of 1945 Chinese currency, this note is common in the market. eBay transaction data shows consistent sales in the $1-5 range for Fair to VF condition notes over more than a decade of trading history, with even premium PMG-graded examples in higher grades (PMG 64-68) rarely exceeding $30-50. The 2016 catalog value for Fair condition is listed at $1, and the consistent low market prices indicate substantial surviving quantities. Fair condition examples such as this one are among the most affordable examples available to collectors.
Issued in 1945 during the Republic of China's turbulent final years before the Communist takeover, this banknote bears the inscription '中華民國四十三國民政府' (Republic of China 43rd National Government) and is marked as '法幣' (legal tender). The note's denominations in both Chinese characters and Arabic numerals reflect the modernization efforts of the Nationalist government during wartime, while the dense ornamental patterns and fine engraving were security measures against counterfeiting in an era of currency instability and hyperinflation that would accelerate in the post-war period.
The obverse features a formal portrait of Sun Yat-sen (SYS) in a central oval medallion, rendered in fine engraving and surrounded by ornate traditional Chinese scrollwork patterns and cloud-like designs in the corner medallions. The design employs brown as the dominant color with red serial numbers and official seals prominently displayed. The reverse side eschews portraiture in favor of an elaborate geometric and traditional Chinese ornamental pattern filling the entire field, with a central decorative cartouche containing the denomination enclosed in a cloud-scroll frame characteristic of classical Chinese design. Denomination numerals appear in large format on both left and right sides of the reverse, with text elements in both Chinese characters and English ('MANAGER,' 'GOVERNOR') indicating administrative signatures.
FRONT SIDE: 中央銀行 (Central Bank), 壹仟圓 (One Thousand Yuan), 559891 (Serial Number), SERIES 72-A, 中華民國四十三國民政府 (Republic of China 43rd National Government), 法幣 (Legal Tender). BACK SIDE: 壹仟圓 (One Thousand Yuan), 1000 (Arabic numeral denomination on both sides), 中央銀行 (Central Bank), 圓千壹 (One Thousand Yuan - reversed orientation for anti-counterfeiting), MANAGER, GOVERNOR.
This note was produced using intaglio engraving, evidenced by the fine line patterns, detailed portrait rendering, and the intricate ornamental designs observable throughout both obverse and reverse. The high-quality engraving with layered pattern details and precise line work are hallmarks of security printing from this era. The printer information ('Chinese 8 characters') appears on the obverse, indicating domestic Chinese production. The technique provided security through the reproduction difficulty of the complex engraved patterns and fine lineework.
This specimen is identified as SERIES 72-A based on visible English-language marking on the obverse. The serial number 559891 is visible in red on both sides. This appears to be a standard circulation issue from the 1945 production run rather than a specialized variety, replacement note, or commemorative issue. No overprints, date variations, or signature varieties are apparent from the visual analysis that would indicate a scarce sub-variety of Pick-289.
