20 yuan 1941

Common. The eBay market data provided shows this denomination and condition grade (VF) consistently selling in the $1.34-$3.65 range across multiple sales spanning 2012-2020, with even superior grades (PMG 65-66) commanding only $50-$735. These low price points and the volume of sales indicate strong supply in the market. The 1941 Central Bank of China 20 Yuan issue was a regular production denomination with no documented short print run or recall status. The 2016 catalog value of $3 VF corroborates the common status. This note is a typical example of its issue.

Issued during 1941 amid China's ongoing resistance to Japanese invasion, this Central Bank of China note represents the Republic's monetary authority during the Second Sino-Japanese War period. The prominent portrait of Sun Yat-sen (the founding father of the Republic of China) on the obverse reinforces national identity, while the bilingual English-Chinese inscriptions on the reverse reflect the note's international recognition and the era's complex diplomatic environment. The American Bank Note Company imprint confirms the outsourced production typical of Chinese currency during this turbulent decade.

The obverse features a formal portrait of Sun Yat-sen (孫中山), the founding father of the Republic of China, depicted in profile within an oval frame positioned at the left side of the note. His distinctive thin mustache and composed expression reflect the dignified portraiture standards of the era. The design is framed by ornate cloud-like decorative elements in the center and elaborate scrollwork in all four corners with circular frames containing floral patterns. Traditional Chinese border designs incorporating geometric and floral motifs create multiple frames within the composition. The reverse emphasizes the denomination through large central numerals (20) and cartouche designs, with symmetrical corner ornaments and extensive microprint-style security patterns throughout the background. The red/pink coloring on the obverse and brown tones on the reverse were standard for this denomination in the 1941 issue.

OBVERSE: 中央銀行 (Central Bank) | 貳拾圓 (Twenty Yuan) | 國幣 (National Currency, appears twice) | 拾貳 (Twelve, appears twice) | Т808956 (Serial number, appears twice) | 中華民國十三年 (Year 13 of the Republic of China) | 美國鈔票公司承印 (Printed by American Bank Note Company). REVERSE: THE CENTRAL BANK OF CHINA | TWENTY YUAN (with numeral 20 in multiple corners) | Т808956 (Serial number, appears twice) | ASST GENERAL MANAGER | GENERAL MANAGER | 1941 | SECURITY BANKNOTE COMPANY.

Fine line engraving executed through intaglio printing, characteristic of both the American Bank Note Company (noted on obverse) and Security Banknote Company (noted on reverse). The intricate geometric patterns, microprint-quality background details, and sharp line work visible in both the visual analysis and throughout the design are hallmarks of this premium banknote printing technique. Multiple color separation and registration indicate sophisticated multi-pass printing typical of high-security currency production of the era.

Serial number Т808956 appears on both obverse and reverse, which is standard for this issue. The visual analysis indicates this is the standard variety with American Bank Note Company / Security Banknote Company production marks as expected for Pick P-240c. No overprints, color variations, or signature varieties are noted that would distinguish this as a scarcer sub-variety. The date marking 'Year 13 of the Republic of China' on the obverse corresponds to 1924 in the traditional Chinese calendar but the reverse confirms the Western year 1941 as the actual issue date.