500 custom gold units 1947

Common. eBay market data shows consistent sales activity with prices ranging from $2.25 to $51 depending on condition grade, with most circulated examples (F-VF) trading in the $3-$12 range and UNC examples at $15-$26. The 2016 catalog valuation of $15 for UNC aligns with observed market prices. The presence of multiple sales transactions across different years and condition grades indicates adequate supply in the collector market. This is a regular issue from a major issuer (Central Bank of China) with presumably substantial print runs, and while it holds collector interest due to its historical significance and attractive design, it is not scarce.

Issued in 1947, this note was produced during the final years of the Republic of China before the Communist victory in 1949, a period marked by severe hyperinflation and currency instability. The denomination in 'Customs Gold Units' rather than standard Yuan reflects attempts to stabilize value against gold reserves, and the bilingual English/Chinese inscriptions demonstrate the Central Bank's international commercial orientation during this era. The depicted Central Bank building with its prominent clock tower symbolized institutional authority and modern governance, even as the nation faced economic and political upheaval that would soon render this currency obsolete.

The obverse features a formal portrait of Sun Yat-sen (founder of the Republic of China), depicted as a middle-aged man with distinctive mustache in formal dress, positioned centrally within an ornate oval medallion. The design employs symmetrical classical ornamentation with elaborate floral/scrollwork patterns in all four corners, traditional Chinese calligraphy at top and bottom, and a decorative emblem below the portrait containing Chinese characters. The reverse presents the Central Bank of China's headquarters building as the central focal point—a multi-story governmental structure with a prominent clock tower rendered in precise architectural detail. Ornate frames containing the numeral '500' appear in all four corners, with English text in arched banners above and below the building. The entire composition is unified by an intricate border of fine line engraving with scrollwork, creating a formal, high-security aesthetic appropriate to a government financial institution.

FRONT SIDE: 中央銀行 (Central Bank) | 中華民國 (Republic of China) | 五佰圓 (Five Hundred Yuan) | 印年六十三國民共和中 (Year 63 of the Republic/printed in year 63) | Serial number: 436049 | Variety designator: 24-D. BACK SIDE: THE CENTRAL BANK OF CHINA (English institutional name) | FIVE HUNDRED CUSTOMS GOLD UNITS (denomination in English) | 500 (numeric denomination in ornate frames at corners) | GENERAL MANAGER (signature line title) | ASST. GENERAL MANAGER (signature line title) | SECURITY BANKNOTE COMPANY (printer attribution) | 1947 (year of issue).

Intaglio (engraved) printing process executed by the Security Banknote Company (SBNC), as noted in the catalog data and confirmed by the visual characteristics. The fine line engraving is evident throughout the border patterns, ornamental elements, and portrait rendering. Multiple color registration marks visible on the sides indicate multicolor printing using separate plates for each color (green and red are dominant). The sophisticated security features including elaborate engraved borders, fine line work throughout, and color registration demonstrate professional security printing standards of the 1940s.

The variety designator '24-D' is visible on the obverse, which may indicate a specific printing series or plate variant. The serial number format '436049' appears to be standard for this issue. Year designation as 'Year 63 of the Republic' (corresponding to 1947 in the Western calendar, being 63 years after the founding of the ROC in 1912) suggests this note may exist with different year printings. The signature lines on the reverse (General Manager and Assistant General Manager) may show variations in specific individuals' signatures across different printings. Without access to comprehensive Pick catalog plates, specific noted varieties for P-336 cannot be definitively identified from the visual analysis alone.