5 yuan 1941

Common. The eBay price history demonstrates consistent market availability with numerous sales across multiple condition grades spanning from 2013 to 2022. PMG 65 specimens have appeared on the secondary market (PMG 64 sold for $27.12 in 2017), and lower-grade examples regularly sell for $5-$25. The 2016 catalog value of $12 UNC indicates this is a standard-circulation note from a substantial print run. The consistent availability and modest pricing across grades confirm common status.

Issued in 1941 during the Second Sino-Japanese War, this Central Bank of China note reflects the Republic of China's (ROC) monetary system during a period of significant political and military upheaval. The inclusion of both Chinese characters ('中央行银' and '五圆') and English text ('THE CENTRAL BANK OF CHINA') demonstrates the cosmopolitan nature of China's financial institutions during this era. The ROC dating system visible on the obverse ('中华民国十三' indicating Year 13 of the Republic, equivalent to 1924 in the Western calendar, though this note is from 1941) reflects the nationalist government's administrative framework during the wartime period.

The obverse features a formal portrait of a dignitary in military or formal dress uniform, positioned in profile facing right within an ornate circular frame. The portrait is the primary focal element, characteristic of Central Bank of China notes from this period. Surrounding the portrait are elaborate decorative borders incorporating floral and geometric patterns typical of security printing of the 1940s era. The denomination '五圆' (Five Yuan) is displayed prominently in ornately framed Chinese characters in the center and corners. The reverse side maintains the decorative aesthetic with elaborate corner ornaments, border designs, and central panels containing institutional text, signature lines for bank officials (General Manager and Assistant General Manager), and printer information. The color scheme—predominantly green on cream/beige background with red serial numbers—follows Central Bank of China design standards of the period.

FRONT SIDE: '中央行银' (Central Bank), '五圆' (Five Yuan), '中华民国十三' (Republic of China Year 13 - traditional ROC dating), Serial number 'T535238' (printed in red). BACK SIDE: 'THE CENTRAL BANK OF CHINA' (English), 'FIVE YUAN' (English), '1941' (issue year), 'GENERAL MANAGER' and 'ASST. GEN. MANAGER' (signature line designations), 'CHUNG HWA BOOK CO LTD' (printer identification).

Intaglio engraving (steel plate engraving) combined with letterpress elements, evidenced by the fine line engraving patterns, detailed guilloche designs, and sharp impression quality visible throughout. The printer 'CHUNG HWA BOOK CO LTD' (also known as Chung Hwa Book Company Limited, identified as CHB in catalog records) employed this traditional security printing method. The multicolor underprint technique with green, cream, and red inks demonstrates sophisticated period printing practices.

This is identified as Pick P-234a, indicating the 'a' variety within the 1941 5 Yuan denomination. According to catalog data, there are 2 serial number varieties known for this issue. The observed serial number 'T535238' represents one of these documented varieties. The 'a' designation likely distinguishes this from a 'b' variety based on serial number format or printing characteristics. No overprints, date variations, or signature varieties are evident on this specimen.