5000 yuan 1947

Common. The eBay price history provided demonstrates consistent circulation in the used market with Fair condition notes selling in the $3.25–$7.50 range in recent years, and the 2016 catalog valuation places F-condition examples at a modest level. Print runs for high-denomination notes issued by the Central Bank during 1947 were substantial enough to supply the hyperinflationary wartime economy, and surviving examples remain relatively available to collectors.

Issued during 1947 (year 36 of the Republic of China), this banknote represents the final years of the Chinese Nationalist government's currency regime before the Communist takeover in 1949. The prominence of the Central Bank (中央銀行) and National Government (國民政府) inscriptions reflects the Kuomintang's formal monetary authority during this tumultuous period of Chinese civil conflict. The formal portrait style and classical ornamental design elements are typical of high-denomination notes intended to project governmental legitimacy and stability during a period of significant political and economic upheaval.

The obverse features a formal portrait medallion of a high-ranking Chinese statesman with a distinctive mustache, rendered in traditional engraved style within an oval frame surrounded by elaborate scrollwork. The figure wears formal military or civilian attire befitting a government official of the period. The reverse displays a symmetrical design with large denomination numerals '5000' housed within shield-shaped cartouches positioned left and right, with a diamond-shaped central medallion bearing additional Chinese characters. Both sides are framed by intricate corner ornaments combining geometric and floral motifs, characteristic of high-denomination currency designs intended to convey authority and prevent counterfeiting. Red seal stamps and official markings appear prominently on the obverse.

Front side: '中央銀行' (Central Bank of China), '國民政府' (National Government), '伍仲圓' (5000 yuan), '中華民國三十六年印行' (Printed in year 36 of the Republic of China, i.e., 1947), serial number 'CP855225' in Latin characters. Back side: '中央銀行' (Central Bank of China), '5000' (Arabic numerals), '伍仟圓' (5000 yuan in Chinese characters).

Intaglio (engraved) printing, evidenced by the fine line work, detailed portraiture, and crisp ornamental patterns visible throughout. The precision of the geometric borders, scrollwork, and denomination cartouches indicates professional security printing. The catalog reference notes a Chinese printer (identified by 6 characters on the reverse), consistent with the Central Bank of China's domestic printing capabilities in the 1940s.

The observed serial number prefix 'CP' and the specific issue date of 1947 (中華民國三十六年) are consistent with the standard Pick P-313 variety. No obvious overprints, surcharges, or alternative signatures are evident in the visual analysis. Variety differentiation for this issue primarily relates to serial number prefixes and printing runs, which would require comparison against detailed catalog references for this specific Central Bank emission.