500 gold yuan 1949
Market Prices
7 salesAbout This Note
This 1949 Central Bank of China 500 Gold Yuan note (Pick 410) is presented in AU condition with crisp, well-preserved printing and minimal wear. The obverse features a portrait of Chiang Kai-shek in military uniform positioned at right, while the reverse depicts an industrialized harbor scene with bridge, ships, and smokestacks—symbolizing China's modernization aspirations during a turbulent transitional period. The note exhibits excellent color vibrancy in its purple and blue palette with cream background, fine engraving detail throughout, and red serial numbers, making it a desirable example of late-period Central Bank currency.
Common. Market evidence from eBay sales data shows consistent sales in the $6–$35 range across multiple condition grades (F, VF, UNC, PMG 64) spanning 2012–2021, with 2016 catalog values placing UNC examples at $25. An AU-graded specimen falls squarely within normal market activity, indicating a note with adequate circulation in collector channels. No evidence of limited print runs, special recalls, or scarcity conditions. This Pick number represents regular-issue currency from a major central bank with presumably substantial production.
Issued in 1949, this note represents the Central Bank of China's final currency phase before the Communist takeover and the subsequent transition to the People's Republic. The reverse's industrial harbor imagery reflects the Chinese government's emphasis on modernization and economic development in the years following World War II. This denomination and design represent a critical moment in Chinese numismatic history, as the Central Bank ceased operations and subsequent currency issuance became the domain of the new Communist regime.
The obverse features a formal portrait of Chiang Kai-shek (identified as 'CKS') in left-facing profile wearing a military uniform with collar insignia, positioned prominently at right. The central design incorporates an elaborate decorative cartouche with traditional Chinese motifs, flanked by ornate corner medallions displaying circular and spiral patterns characteristic of classical Chinese design. The reverse depicts an industrial harbor scene featuring a large bridge spanning water, multiple sailing vessels and steam ships with prominent masts, port facilities with smokestacks, and a developed waterfront cityline—symbolizing national economic progress. All four corners contain large denomination numerals '500'. Ornate decorative borders and traditional Chinese corner medallions frame the entire design. Red rectangular seals with Chinese characters appear on the obverse as official markers.
Front side: 中央銀行 (Central Bank), 五佰圓金券 (Five Hundred Gold Yuan note), 五百 (Five hundred), Serial number 805891 (repeated in red). Back side: THE CENTRAL BANK OF CHINA, FIVE HUNDRED GOLD YUAN, 500 (corner denominations in all four corners), 1949 (date), GOVERNOR, GENERAL MANAGER, CHUNG HWA BOOK CO. LTD. (printer), official signatures for General Manager and Governor positions.
Intaglio engraving (line engraving), executed by Chung Hwa Book Co. Ltd. (CHB), noted on the reverse as 'CHUNG HWA BOOK CO. LTD.' The printing technique involved intricate fine-line engraving throughout the design, with complex landscape rendering on the reverse and detailed portraiture on the obverse. Security features rely on the complexity and precision of the engraved patterns rather than modern anti-counterfeiting technology, consistent with banknote production practices of the 1940s.
Serial number 805891 is visible on the obverse (repeated in both upper left and upper right in red). The note exhibits the standard S/M #C302-52 designation per catalog references. No overprints or special markings beyond standard official signatures are present. The printer identification 'CHUNG HWA BOOK CO. LTD.' confirms the CHB printing house. No date variations or major design variants are apparent; this represents the standard 1949 issue design with violet-dominated multicolor printing.
