5 custom gold unit 1930

Common. The catalog reference shows this denomination had a substantial circulation—eBay price tracking indicates EF examples sold for approximately $7.50 and current catalog valuations place UNC examples at $45 (as of 2016). These modest market values and the availability of documented sales history indicate this is a commonly encountered note among collectors of Chinese currency from this period. No print run data suggests scarcity, and the Central Bank of China issued this series in significant quantities during 1930.

Issued in 1930 from Shanghai during the early Republic of China period, this note reflects the modernization efforts of the newly-established Central Bank of China under the Nationalist government. The prominence of English text and the commission of American Bank Note Company for printing demonstrates China's engagement with international financial institutions during this transitional era. The 'Customs Gold Units' denomination referenced on the note relates to China's maritime customs tariff system, a critical component of the country's financial sovereignty as it negotiated tariff autonomy in the post-Imperial period.

The obverse presents a formal portrait of Sun Yat-sen (founder of the Republic of China), rendered as an oval vignette in the upper center with fine engraving detail. The portrait depicts him in high-collared formal diplomatic attire with a mustache, a standard representation during the Republican era. Ornamental corner flourishes with scrollwork and geometric patterns frame the design, typical of ABNC's sophisticated early-20th-century banknote aesthetics. A distinctive red/pink decorative rosette-shaped security element is prominently positioned below the portrait. The reverse features a detailed engraved vignette of the Central Bank of China's Shanghai headquarters—a substantial classical institutional building with multiple stories, columned portico, and prominent clock tower symbolizing the bank's permanence and modernity. Bilingual text (English and French) reflects international commercial practices of the era. Fine line engraving throughout provides both security and visual appeal.

FRONT: Central Bank (中央銀行), Shanghai (上海), and denomination text in traditional Chinese characters. BACK: English inscriptions include 'THE CENTRAL BANK OF CHINA' (banner), 'PAY THE BEARER ON DEMAND AT ITS OFFICE HERE', 'FIVE CUSTOMS GOLD UNITS' (denomination text), 'SHANGHAI, 1930' (location and date), 'GENERAL MANAGER' and 'ASST. GENERAL MANAGER' (signature titles), and 'AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY' (printer attribution). Serial number 'SG065963' appears in red on both sides with French notation 'N°'.

Intaglio engraving (steel plate/line engraving), executed by the American Bank Note Company (ABNC), one of the world's premier currency printers. The fine detail visible in the portrait, architectural vignette, decorative borders, and geometric patterns are characteristic of high-quality intaglio work. Serial numbers were added via secondary printing in red ink. The security rosette and scrollwork demonstrate the complexity of ABNC's engraving capabilities.

This specific example bears serial number SG065963, with 'SG' prefix indicating the Shanghai issuance point. The signature titles read 'GENERAL MANAGER' and 'ASST. GENERAL MANAGER' (assistant manager position noted in reference catalog). Pick 326c designation indicates this is variety 'c' of the 5 Customs Gold Units denomination. The red serial number printing and bilingual inscription presentation (English/French/Chinese) are consistent with the standard 1930 issue characteristics.