5 jiao 1953

Common. The eBay sold price data demonstrates consistent, frequent sales activity spanning over a decade (2011-2022) with numerous examples changing hands regularly. UNC examples have sold in the $28-102 range with increasing frequency in recent years, while PMG-graded examples (primarily 67-68) typically fetch $55-116. This price volatility and regular availability indicates healthy market liquidity and a relatively large surviving population, characteristic of common notes from a major issuer's regular series.

Issued in 1953, this note represents the People's Bank of China's early post-revolutionary currency during the consolidation period of the People's Republic. The prominent dam imagery symbolizes China's industrial modernization and hydroelectric development ambitions during the First Five-Year Plan era, while the national emblem on the reverse reinforces state authority and unity across the newly unified nation.

The 1953 5 Jiao features a hydroelectric dam complex on the obverse, representing China's industrial development—likely depicting a significant water project from the early PRC period. The composition uses violet printing on a lilac and light blue underprint with ornamental scroll cartouches at the top corners and an oval medallion frame on the right containing Chinese characters. The reverse showcases the national emblem of the People's Republic of China (Tiananmen Gate structure within a star design) centered within an elaborate ornamental frame with cloud scroll motifs and decorative patterns. The color scheme shifts to brown printing on a lilac and gold underprint, with symmetric cartouches flanking the central emblem. Both sides employ fine-line guilloché work and ornamental borders as decorative and security elements. The multi-script approach (Chinese, Arabic, and Tibetan) reflects the PRC's early emphasis on representing its diverse ethnic composition.

Front side: '中国人民银行' (People's Bank of China), '五角' (Five Jiao), '二九一三年' (Year 1953 in Chinese numeral form), Serial number 'ⅡⅢⅢ9017517' (in Roman and Arabic numerals). Back side: '中国人民银行' (People's Bank of China), '五角' (Five Jiao), '伍圓' (Five Yuan/Jiao in alternative traditional form), '1953' (Arabic numerals). Additional inscriptions in Arabic and Tibetan scripts are present on the back as part of multi-ethnic script design convention of early PRC currency.

Intaglio (engraved) printing combined with letterpress elements for the ornamental borders and security guillochéwork. The fine-line patterns, detailed scrollwork, and precision of the dam photograph reproduction are characteristic of professional security printing by the Chinese banknote printing authority. The multi-color printing required separate passes for the violet/brown primary image and the lilac/light blue/gold/purple underprints, indicating sophisticated multicolor intaglio technology employed by early PRC security printers.

Serial number variety observed: ⅡⅢⅢ9017517 (combination of Roman numerals followed by Arabic numerals). The Schulman/Mishler (S/M) catalog designation is C283-6, indicating this is a catalogued variety. Known varieties for this Pick number may include different serial number prefix combinations and color shade variations. The visual analysis confirms the standard violet-on-lilac obverse and brown-on-lilac/gold reverse color scheme consistent with the primary issue type. No obvious overprints or modifications visible in the UNC example examined.