50 cents 1949

Common. eBay market data shows multiple sales across various condition grades with prices ranging from $2.95 to $100.00 USD, with most UNC examples selling in the $4.99 to $10.00 range. The prevalence of listings at low prices and multiple recent sales indicate this is a commonly available note in the collector market. While 1949 Kwangtung Provincial Bank notes have historical significance, this particular denomination and variety does not show evidence of limited production or scarcity that would elevate it beyond common status.

Issued in 1949 (Year 38 of the Republic of China), this note represents the final year of Kwangtung Provincial Bank operations before the Communist takeover of mainland China. The pagoda depicted on the reverse symbolizes traditional Chinese cultural heritage and regional pride, while the formal portraiture on the obverse reflects the institutional authority the Provincial Bank sought to project during the tumultuous final months of the Republic of China's rule. The bilingual English-Chinese presentation indicates the bank's international commercial aspirations during this transitional period.

The obverse features a formal portrait of an unidentified government or military official, depicted in three-quarter frontal pose wearing a high-collared military jacket, rendered in fine cross-hatched engraving with gray-green tone. The portrait is framed by ornate decorative cartouches on the left and right containing denomination text in traditional Chinese characters. The reverse depicts what appears to be a significant regional or national landmark pagoda with multiple ascending tiers and characteristic curved roof lines with ornamental finials, presented in an elevated perspective suggesting architectural prominence. Both sides employ elaborate corner medallion designs with floral and scrollwork motifs typical of late Republican-era Chinese banknote design. The overall composition emphasizes symmetry, institutional authority, and cultural refinement.

FRONT: 廣東東銀行 (Kwangtung Provincial Bank, read right to left in traditional format); 五角 (Five jiao/50 cents); 大洋票 (Dollar bill); 中華民國三十八年 (Year 38 of the Republic of China, corresponding to 1949); 中華民國政府發行司公 (Issued by the Government of the Republic of China); Serial number 082229. BACK: THE KWANGTUNG PROVINCIAL BANK (English text); 50 CENTS (English denomination); 1949 (year in Western numerals); CHUNG HWA BOOK CO. LTD (printer credit). Additional signatures appear in cursive script in lower corners (not clearly legible in provided images).

Intaglio/engraving process, as evidenced by the fine line work, intricate cross-hatching, and crisp portrait rendering visible throughout both sides. Printed by Chung Hwa Book Company Limited (credited on reverse), a known security printer for Chinese currency of this period. The complexity of the border patterns, portrait rendering, and landscape elements confirms professional banknote production utilizing steel plate engraving technology characteristic of high-security currency printing circa 1949.

Serial number observed: 082229. No obvious overprints, date variations, or signature variants are apparent from the visual analysis of this specific specimen. Standard printing of the 1949 issue with bilateral English-Chinese inscriptions. The presence of cursive signatures in lower corners is consistent with authorized bank official endorsement standard for this series, though the specific signatories are not clearly identifiable in provided images. Further variety determination would require comparison with known signature variants and serial number prefix studies for this Pick number.