1000 yuan 1945

Common. While this is a historically significant note from 1945, the eBay price history demonstrates consistent availability and moderate valuations. Sales data shows UNC examples regularly selling between $5–$60, with the majority of graded examples (PMG 65-67) selling in the $30–$100 range. Print runs for Central Bank of China 1000 Yuan notes in 1945 appear to have been substantial. The note was not recalled or destroyed en masse, and examples survive in quantity today. Unless a specific sub-variety or printer variant exists, this Pick number should be classified as common, with value primarily driven by condition and collector demand rather than scarcity.

Issued in 1945 by the Central Bank of China (中央銀行), this note represents a critical period when the Nationalist government under the Republic of China was managing hyperinflation amid ongoing Japanese occupation and civil war. The portrait on the obverse likely depicts a significant government figure of the era, while the architectural landmark on the reverse—rendered as a multi-story pagoda or institutional building within an ornamental frame—may represent a symbol of national importance or the bank's authority. The bilingual English/Chinese inscriptions reflect the international recognition and foreign-backed security printing that characterized Central Bank of China notes of this period.

The obverse features a formal portrait of a dignified male figure in the center, rendered in classical engraving style with fine detail work characteristic of security printing. The portrait is surrounded by elaborate geometric and floral ornamental borders, with cloud-like circular medallions in all four corners containing Chinese characters. Red serial numbers appear on both left and right sides. The reverse displays a prominent architectural landmark—a multi-story pagoda or institutional building—centrally positioned within an ornamental oval cartouche. Large denomination numerals '1000' appear in all four corners. Sun symbols in decorative circular medallions flank the central building on both sides. The entire design employs complex guilloche patterns and fine-line engraving to enhance security and aesthetic appeal. The color scheme throughout is predominantly purple/mauve with black engraving on a cream off-white base, a distinctive palette for this series.

FRONT SIDE: '中央銀行' (Central Bank), '壹仟圓' (One Thousand Yuan), Serial number '779091', 'SERIES 81-E' (English designation), '中華民國二十三年印行' (Printed in the 23rd year of the Republic of China [1934 in the ROC calendar, corresponding to 1945 in the Western calendar]). BACK SIDE: '1000' (denomination in Western numerals), 'THE CENTRAL BANK OF CHINA' (English institutional name), 'ONE THOUSAND YUAN' (English denomination), '1945' (year of issue), 'GENERAL MANAGER' (signatory title), 'GOVERNOR' (signatory title), 'SECURITY BANKNOTE COMPANY' (printer attribution).

Intaglio engraving (copperplate/steel plate engraving), characteristic of high-security banknote production. The fine line work, intricate guilloche patterns, and detailed portrait rendering are hallmarks of intaglio printing. The printer is identified on the note as 'SECURITY BANKNOTE COMPANY,' a common contractor for Central Bank of China notes during the 1945 period, though this may reference the Bureau of Engraving and Printing or a foreign security printer contracted by the Chinese government.

The note is identified as 'SERIES 81-E' as shown in the English inscriptions. The serial number format (779091) and series designation may indicate a specific printing batch or variety within the 1945 issue. The date '中華民國二十三年' (23rd year of the ROC) is a dating convention that corresponds to 1945 in the Western calendar. Detailed variety information for this Pick number (P-290) may include signature variants (Governor and General Manager signatures visible on reverse) and potentially different serial number prefixes or printer marks, though the standard reference catalogs (Pick, IBNS) do not typically distinguish multiple major varieties for this denomination in 1945.