50 gold yuan 1948
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20 salesAbout This Note
This is a 50 Gold Yuan note from 1948 issued by the Central Bank of China, presented in UNC condition with excellent preservation. The note features a striking violet/purple color scheme with ornate traditional Chinese design elements on the obverse and a detailed architectural rendering of the Central Bank building on the reverse. Despite light age-related foxing visible in lighter areas, the note displays sharp engraving, crisp serial numbers, and minimal wear consistent with uncirculated status, making it an attractive example of late-period Republican-era Chinese currency.
Common. The eBay price data shows consistent market values ranging from $3 to $42 depending on condition grade, with the bulk of sales in the $6–$25 range. The 2016 catalogue value for UNC is listed at $10, and recent AUNC examples have sold for $6–$12, indicating steady but modest collector demand. The 1948 50 Gold Yuan was part of a regular issue with substantial print runs, and surviving examples in various grades are regularly available in the numismatic market. No evidence suggests this Pick number is scarce or rare.
The 50 Gold Yuan denomination was issued in 1948 during the final year of the Republic of China on mainland, representing a period of significant monetary instability preceding the Communist victory in 1949. The Central Bank building depicted on the reverse symbolizes the institutional authority attempting to stabilize the Chinese economy during this turbulent transition. The English-language inscriptions reflect the international character of China's banking system and the Western-influenced design aesthetic adopted by the Nationalist government during this era.
The obverse features a three-quarter portrait of Chiang Kai-shek (CKS) in military uniform, rendered in profile facing left, positioned at the right side of the note within an ornate oval medallion with blue and red decorative borders. The design incorporates traditional Chinese motifs in corner flourishes and red rectangular stamps flanking the central portrait. The reverse displays a monumental neoclassical building—the Central Bank of China headquarters—rendered in detailed architectural engraving with symmetrical facade, columns, and a flag atop. Large '50' numerals in decorative cartouches occupy all four corners, and an ornate border frame encloses the design. The color scheme of violet/purple dominates both sides with contrasting blue, red, and black accents, creating visual balance and security through color complexity.
OBVERSE: 中央銀行 (Central Bank), 圓拾伍 (Fifty Yuan), Serial number AD510509 (appears twice in red). REVERSE: 'THE CENTRAL BANK OF CHINA' (header), '50' (corner denominations, all four corners), 'FIFTY YUAN' (denomination text), '1948' (issue year), 'GOVERNOR' and 'GENERAL MANAGER' (signature designation lines).
The note was produced by the China Printing and Finishing Company (CPF), employing traditional intaglio (engraved) printing methods combined with multicolor lithography for the underprint layers. The fine line work, intricate guilloche patterns in borders and backgrounds, detailed engraving of the portrait and architectural building, and multiple color registration layers are characteristic of high-security banknote production of the 1940s era. The precision of the decorative elements and the crispness of the serial numbers indicate professional security printing standards.
The specific variety is noted as S/M #C302-40 with printer CPF. The serial number observed on this specimen is AD510509. This note exhibits the standard design for the 1948 regular issue without apparent overprints or significant variants. The signature block designation shows 'GOVERNOR' and 'GENERAL MANAGER' positions as typical for this issue. No unusual date variants, color variants, or printing anomalies are evident from the visual analysis.
