500 yuan 1946
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9 salesAbout This Note
This 1946 Bank of Taiwan 500 yuan note presents an attractive example of early post-war Republic of China currency, rendered in distinctive pink and orange tones with fine engraving work throughout. The obverse features a formal portrait of Dr. Sun Yat-sen at center, flanked by the Bank of Taiwan building and an outline of Taiwan, while the reverse depicts a historical naval battle scene within an ornate oval vignette. In VF condition, the note shows minimal wear with only slight aging consistent with its 75+ year age, making it a desirable mid-grade example of this catalog issue.
Common. The eBay price history shows VF examples selling for $7-20 range (2018-2020), and catalog values list VF at $20 (2016). The consistent appearance of this note in the secondary market at modest prices indicates a reasonable print run without significant scarcity. Multiple serial number varieties are known (per realbanknotes.com), further confirming this was a standard production issue rather than a limited or recalled printing.
Issued in 1946 (Year 35 of the Republic of China), this note represents a critical transitional period when the Bank of Taiwan was reasserting currency authority following Japanese occupation. The reverse design's depiction of a naval battle against the Danes in 1633 references Taiwan's pre-colonial maritime history and independence, reinforcing nationalist symbolism during the immediate post-war reconstruction period. The prominence of Dr. Sun Yat-sen's portrait underscores the ideological continuity of the Republic of China during its retreat to Taiwan before 1949.
The obverse features Dr. Sun Yat-sen (founder of the Republic of China) in formal dress within a centered oval portrait frame, with the Bank of Taiwan building—a multi-story structure with Western architectural styling—positioned at the left, and a cartographic outline of Taiwan at the right. The reverse showcases a historical landscape vignette in an oval frame depicting the 1633 naval engagement between Chinese forces and Danish colonial forces, surrounded by ornamental corner panels displaying the denomination '500'. The entire design employs fine-line engraving with extensive cross-hatching and decorative scrollwork characteristic of high-security currency design of the era.
Front: '台灣銀行' (Bank of Taiwan), '合五百圓' (Five Hundred Yuan), '中華民國五十三國民' (Republic of China Year 35), serial number 'AS794031', denomination marker '百伍' (One Hundred Five [characters]). Back: Denomination panels displaying '500' in all four corners. Additional Chinese characters and ornamental text appear throughout both sides as part of the decorative border scheme.
Intaglio/engraved printing (fine line engraving with cross-hatching), produced by CPF (Chinese Printing and Finishing Works or similar security printer). The fine detail work, ornamental borders, and security pattern fills are consistent with professional bank note engraving standards of the 1940s.
Two serial number varieties are documented for this issue (S/M number T72-6 per realbanknotes.com). The observed example displays serial number 'AS794031', which would need comparison against cataloged prefix ranges to determine specific variety assignment. No overprints, signatures variations, or date variations are apparent; this represents the standard regular issue of 1946.
