5 dollars 1930

Common. Despite the UNC condition grade and catalog designation, eBay market data demonstrates consistent trading at modest prices ($20-60 for PMG 65-66 grades in recent years, with older UNC sales ranging $12-30). The large number of sales transactions across multiple years and multiple grading companies indicates robust supply. Print runs for this series were substantial. Current catalog value (2016) of $9 UNC further supports common classification.

Issued in 1930 during the Republic of China period, this note reflects the Central Bank's efforts to establish a modern, internationally-credible currency system under the Nationalist government. The monumental architecture depicted on the reverse—likely Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum in Nanjing—symbolizes the revolutionary ideals and national consolidation of the Republican era. The bilingual English-Chinese inscriptions and American Bank Note Company production demonstrate the international cooperation and Western banking standards that the Chinese government sought to emulate during this modernization period.

The obverse presents a formal portrait of a male dignitary (likely a Central Bank official or government figure) centered within an ornate oval frame adorned with decorative vine and laurel wreath patterns. Two large pink/rose-colored rosette medallions with intricate geometric star patterns flank the portrait symmetrically. The note employs dark green, pink, and black printing on a cream/beige background with extensive guilloche border work and scrollwork corner embellishments. The reverse depicts the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum (or similar monumental Republican-era building) in Nanjing, rendered as a classical architectural vignette with formal symmetrical landscaping, ceremonial pathways, flanking trees, and organized gardens. Large denomination numerals '5' appear in all four corners, with red seal stamps bearing Chinese characters positioned prominently. The overall design reflects Belle Époque and Art Deco influences combined with traditional Chinese motifs.

OBVERSE: Central Bank (中央銀行), Shanghai (海上), Republic of China (中華民國), Five Dollars (五圓), General Manager and Assistant General Manager title lines. REVERSE: 'THE CENTRAL BANK OF CHINA' / 'FIVE DOLLARS' / 'NATIONAL CURRENCY' / 'SHANGHAI' / 'PROMISES TO PAY THE BEARER ON DEMAND AT ITS OFFICE HERE' / 'AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY' / Serial number 'N422333G' (appears twice) / Reference number '1348'.

Intaglio (copperplate) engraving combined with letterpress elements. The fine line engraving visible in the portrait vignette, architectural details, and extensive guilloche border patterns are characteristic of American Bank Note Company's high-security banknote production. The red serial numbers and seal stamps appear to have been applied separately, likely via letterpress or subsequent overprinting. The multicolor printing (green, pink, black on cream base) suggests multiple plate passes.

Pick P-200f designation indicates this is a specific variety within the 1930 5 Dollar series; the 'f' suffix typically denotes a particular signature, overprint, or control marking variety. The observed serial number 'N422333G' with red overprint and the red seal stamps with Chinese characters are control markings. The signature appears in green as part of the plate (per reference data), not as a separate autograph. Specific variety identification would require comparison with other documented P-200 series examples and examination of the exact overprint configuration and signature positioning.