2 jiao 1962

Common. Despite its age and historical interest, market data clearly indicates this note is common in circulation and readily available. eBay sales history shows UNC examples selling for $20-25 in 2019 catalog pricing and under $100 in recent graded sales, with a 2010 UNC example selling for merely $0.99. Print runs for this regular issue were substantial, and significant quantities survive. The denomination and year are standard issues without reported scarcities or recall events.

Issued in 1962 by the People's Bank of China, this note reflects the early period of the PRC's currency standardization and represents a transitional design era. The prominent bridge imagery celebrates Chinese engineering achievements, while the multi-script inscriptions (Chinese, Tibetan, Mongolian, and Uyghur) on the reverse demonstrate the communist government's stated commitment to national unity across diverse ethnic territories during a period of consolidating control over western regions.

The obverse prominently features the Yangtze River Bridge (likely the Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge or similar major crossing), depicted as a multi-arch engineering marvel with classical architectural proportions, railings, and support columns spanning water with mountainous background—a symbol of modernization achievements. The reverse showcases the national emblem of the People's Republic of China (red circle with five stars and building motif) in the upper right corner, with a large ornate cartouche in green and purple containing the numeral '2' surrounded by botanical and floral symmetrical designs. The fine mesh pattern background and intricate line work throughout demonstrate sophisticated engraving techniques characteristic of PRC currency from this period.

Front: '中国人民银行' (People's Bank of China) and '贰角' (Two Jiao); Serial number: XIII IX 0880636 (Roman numeral prefix with numerical identifier). Back: '中国人民银行' (People's Bank of China, romanized as 'ZHONGGUO RENMIN YINHANG'); Denomination '2' with year '1962'; Text in Tibetan, Mongolian, and Uyghur scripts representing the same issuer information in these ethnic minority languages, affirming the multi-national composition of the PRC.

Intaglio (engraving) printing process, as evidenced by the fine mesh background patterns, detailed line work in the bridge illustration, and the sharp, crisp impression of decorative elements and security features. The red seal stamps and the multi-script capability suggest this was produced by the People's Bank of China's in-house security printing facilities, likely the Beijing banknote printing works or similar authorized PRC facility.

This specific example is identified as variety XIII (Roman numeral prefix for serial number). The serial number format with three Roman numeral prefixes followed by numeric identifiers represents a known serial numbering system for 1962 issues. No overprints, date variants, or signature variations are visible on this specimen. The note represents the standard obverse (bridge) and reverse (national emblem) design used throughout the 1962 2 Jiao issue with no known major design variations reported for Pick 878.