1 yuan 1946

Common. While this is an early post-war Taiwan banknote with historical significance, eBay transaction data shows consistent sales across multiple condition grades, with UNC examples cataloging at $15 (2016 value) and recent market activity indicating modest prices. No evidence of a limited print run or recall exists; the note circulated widely during its issued period. The ready availability across collector channels and lack of premium pricing for this specific Pick number in UNC grade confirms common status.

Issued in 1946 (the 35th year of the Republic of China, corresponding to Year 35 of the Nationalist calendar), this note represents a critical period when the Bank of Taiwan was reestablishing currency operations following Japanese occupation during World War II. The imagery emphasizes national identity and legitimacy: Dr. Sun Yat-sen (founder of the Republic) appears prominently on the obverse, while the reverse commemorates a 1633 naval engagement against Dutch forces, symbolizing Taiwan's sovereignty and resistance to foreign control. The classical Bank of Taiwan building depicted reinforces the institutional stability and modernization efforts of the post-war Republic.

The obverse features a portrait of Dr. Sun Yat-sen (1866-1925), the revered founding father of the Republic of China, positioned centrally within an elegant oval frame. His formal attire and distinctive facial hair (mustache and goatee) are rendered with fine engraving detail. To the left stands a three-story neoclassical building representing the Bank of Taiwan's headquarters in Taipei, displaying classical proportions with columns and regular fenestration. The right side displays a detailed map of Taiwan with vertical lines indicating administrative divisions and regional boundaries. All elements are unified within ornate blue borders featuring quadrilobe (quatrefoil) corner designs and scrollwork. The reverse presents a maritime historical scene—likely depicting the 1633 Dutch-Chinese naval conflict—rendered as a detailed harbor landscape with multiple sailing vessels, waterfront structures with smoking chimneys, and mountainous background, all contained within a matching oval frame and decorative border scheme.

Front: '台灣銀行' (Bank of Taiwan) appears at top; '中華民國三十五年印' (Printed in the 35th Year of the Republic of China) indicates the year 1946 using the Nationalist calendar system; Serial number 'AQ513845' appears in red at upper left. Back: No visible inscriptions in the primary design field.

Intaglio (engraved) printing on banknote paper, characteristic of the era's security printing standards. The fine line engraving patterns, complex geometric background elements, detailed portraiture, and elaborate cross-hatched borders are hallmarks of traditional engraved banknote production. The printer is identified as CPF (China Printing Factory) according to catalog sources (Catalog designation: S/M T72-1).

The observed specimen features serial number AQ513845 in red ink at upper left. Standard varieties for this Pick number include different serial number prefixes and colors; this example with the 'AQ' prefix represents the standard regular issue. No overprints, commemorative markings, or error varieties are evident. The note corresponds to Catalog designation S/M T72-1 (Shan/Mehl reference), which is the primary variety for this Pick number.