20 cents custom gold units 1930

Common. While this is a historical note from the 1930 Republic of China period, it remains relatively obtainable in the numismatic market. The catalog values (2016) of $10 (VG), $45 (VF), and $135 (UNC) reflect moderate collector demand rather than scarcity. Recent eBay sales data shows PMG 63 examples selling for approximately $200 and circulated Fine notes for around $43, indicating steady but not exceptional market activity. The note was produced by a major security printer (ABNC) and likely in reasonable quantities for its denomination and period. The uncirculated grade commands a significant premium due to condition rarity, but the note itself is not scarce in the broader sense.

This banknote was issued during the Republic of China period (1912-1949) when the Central Bank served as the nation's primary financial institution under the Nationalist government. The architectural vignette of the Central Bank building on the reverse represents the modernization efforts of Shanghai as a major international financial center, while the dual English-Chinese text reflects China's engagement with Western commercial and banking practices during this era. The 'Customs Gold Unit' denomination indicates this note's connection to China's international trade tariffs and foreign exchange obligations during a period of economic development and foreign presence in treaty ports.

The obverse features a formal portrait of a middle-aged gentleman with a thin mustache and goatee, dressed in Western formal attire with a traditional mandarin collar, positioned in a central oval medallion—likely depicting a prominent Central Bank official or government representative of the Republican era. The portrait is framed by ornate decorative borders with scrollwork in all four corners and red rectangular official seals positioned at the cardinal points. The reverse showcases the Central Bank of China's headquarters building, an impressive neoclassical structure with a prominent clock tower and columned facade, representing the institution's authority and modern banking infrastructure. The entire design employs classical engraving techniques with fine line work throughout, elaborate guilloche patterns, and a sophisticated color palette of green and black with red security printing elements, creating a formal and dignified presentation appropriate to an instrument of national financial authority.

OBVERSE (Front): 中央銀行 (Central Bank) | 拾分 (Ten cents) | 海上 (Shanghai) | 中華民國 (Republic of China) | Serial number: 091959 (appears twice). REVERSE (Back): THE CENTRAL BANK OF CHINA | PROMISES TO PAY THE BEARER ON DEMAND AT ITS OFFICE HERE | TWENTY CENTS CUSTOMS GOLD UNIT | NO. 091959 (repeated) | SHANGHAI, 1930 | AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY | GENERAL MANAGER | ASSISTANT MANAGER | Denomination markings: 20 CENTS (in corner medallions)

Intaglio engraving (line engraving) executed by the American Bank Note Company, one of the world's premier security printers. The note exhibits characteristic features of high-quality intaglio work: fine line engraving for portraiture and architectural detail, complex decorative borders and guilloche patterns, multi-color printing with careful registration, and red security printing for serial numbers and official seals. The crisp impression and fine detail work visible in both the portrait and building vignette confirm professional security printing standards of the era.

This example bears serial number 091959 and represents the standard 1930 issue from Shanghai with printed signatures for General Manager and Assistant Manager positions. The bilingual design (English-Chinese) indicates this is the international variant of the 20 Cents Customs Gold Unit issue. No overprints or special marking variants are evident on this specimen. The 'SHANGHAI, 1930' imprint confirms the place and date of issue. Minor varieties within Pick P-324a may exist related to signature variations or printing runs, but this particular serial number example represents the typical design characteristics of the issue.