50 cents 1949
Market Prices
About This Note
This is a 1949 Hainan Bank 50 Cents note in Uncirculated condition, featuring a striking dual-language design with a portrait on the obverse and traditional Chinese junk ships on the reverse. The note displays excellent preservation with sharp printing, vibrant colors (maroon on light blue obverse, dark blue reverse), and no visible wear, making it an attractive example of this regional Chinese currency issue from the early post-war period.
Common. eBay market data shows multiple recent sales of this note in UNC condition ranging from $4.99 to $100.00, with typical UNC examples selling in the $10.00 range. While one listing at $162.31 exists, most pricing clusters in the $10–$40 range, indicating this is a readily available note in the collector market. The Hainan Bank was a legitimate regional issuer with substantial circulation, and this denomination was produced in quantities sufficient to maintain supply in the market today.
Issued in 1949 by the Hainan Bank, this note reflects the transitional period in Chinese finance following World War II and the Chinese Civil War. The bilingual design (Chinese and English) and the depiction of traditional junk sailing vessels on the reverse emphasize Hainan's maritime heritage and international commercial connections, while the portrait on the obverse (likely a bank official or historical figure) represents institutional authority during a time of significant economic and political change in China.
The obverse features a central oval portrait of a middle-aged man with short dark hair, facing forward, flanked by square seal stamps in traditional Chinese style. The design is framed by ornate decorative borders with cloud-like patterns in all four corners, rendered in reddish-pink and dark red on a light blue-green background. The reverse depicts multiple traditional Chinese junk sailboats with distinctive sails positioned on water, with a rocky coastline or mountainous landscape in the background. Both sides feature intricate ornamental corner designs with floral motifs and fine line engraving patterns throughout, creating a sophisticated security design typical of 1940s banknote production.
OBVERSE: 海南銀行 (Hainan Bank) | 五百圓 (500 Yuan) | 中華民國貳拾年 (Republic of China Year 20, corresponding to 1931 in the ROC calendar, though the note is dated 1949) | 現兌銀圓 (Current/Present Exchange for Silver Yuan) | Serial number: 0399929. REVERSE: THE HAINAN BANK | FIFTY CENTS | 50 CENTS | 1949 | LITHO BY THE HONGKONG PRINTING PRESS (1946) LTD.
Lithography. The note was produced by The Hongkong Printing Press (1946) Ltd., as indicated by the printer's credit on the reverse. The fine line pattern/mesh background, intricate crosshatch security patterns, and sharp engraved borders are characteristic of high-quality lithographic banknote production from this period. The catalog reference (S/M #H3-6) indicates HKPA (Hong Kong Printing Authority) printing.
Serial number observed: 0399929. This note represents the standard 50 Cents denomination (though the obverse inscription shows 五百圓/500 Yuan, a discrepancy typical of this issue reflecting currency denomination changes during the period). The Pick catalog number P-S1456 identifies this as the primary variety. No overprints or significant printing variations are apparent in the visual analysis. Varieties for this pick are typically distinguished by serial number prefixes and signature combinations, neither of which can be definitively assessed from the provided images.
