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November 07th 2019
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The Confucian Series of the Central Bank of China
During the middle of the 1930's, the Central Bank of China began to issue a series of now misunderstood thematically related notes, some of which have long been misidentified and incorrectly dated in catalogues.
These banknotes were introduced following the banking and currency reforms of 1935, as part of the new fabi or legal tender yuan. Designed and produced by three different printing firms: Thomas de la Rue of London, Waterlow and Sons of London, and the Chung Hwa Book Company of Shanghai, these notes share the common theme of depicting monuments and imagery commemorating Confucius, the ancient philosopher of (pre) 'Warring States' China.
The theme may seem an unusual choice considering the place held by Confucianism in old Imperial society, with close ties to the Imperial Court which had been overthrown during the revolution of 1911-12. Furthermore, many of the senior figures in the Nationalist Government were Christians including Chiang Kai-shek and the by then deceased (d.1926) Dr Sun Yatsen, founder of the Republic. However Chiang himself had ties to Confucianism and as the Chinese had done for centuries, combined Chinese traditions with the imported Christian ideas. In 1934 Chiang and his wife Soong Mei-ling founded the New Life Movement, a civic-educational movement which blended Confucianism with Christianity and authoritarian nationalism, and is with justification often compared with fascism.
The long tradition of Confucianism was an important component of Chinese Nationalism, and the principle monuments of the 'cult' were and are located in Chefoo (Qufu) in Shantung (Shandong), "a cradle of Chinese Civilisation". A further aspect perhaps was the ongoing Japanese influence in the province. Germany had controlled the concessions within the province until defeat in World War I. The Chinese had sought to have the region fully restored to their control however the concessions were handed to the Japanese in 1919. This led to widespread popular protest and the rise of the May 4th Movement. In 1922 China finally managed to regain the concessions, however Japanese influence was fully entrenched in the region.
These banknotes were introduced following the banking and currency reforms of 1935, as part of the new fabi or legal tender yuan. Designed and produced by three different printing firms: Thomas de la Rue of London, Waterlow and Sons of London, and the Chung Hwa Book Company of Shanghai, these notes share the common theme of depicting monuments and imagery commemorating Confucius, the ancient philosopher of (pre) 'Warring States' China.
The theme may seem an unusual choice considering the place held by Confucianism in old Imperial society, with close ties to the Imperial Court which had been overthrown during the revolution of 1911-12. Furthermore, many of the senior figures in the Nationalist Government were Christians including Chiang Kai-shek and the by then deceased (d.1926) Dr Sun Yatsen, founder of the Republic. However Chiang himself had ties to Confucianism and as the Chinese had done for centuries, combined Chinese traditions with the imported Christian ideas. In 1934 Chiang and his wife Soong Mei-ling founded the New Life Movement, a civic-educational movement which blended Confucianism with Christianity and authoritarian nationalism, and is with justification often compared with fascism.
The long tradition of Confucianism was an important component of Chinese Nationalism, and the principle monuments of the 'cult' were and are located in Chefoo (Qufu) in Shantung (Shandong), "a cradle of Chinese Civilisation". A further aspect perhaps was the ongoing Japanese influence in the province. Germany had controlled the concessions within the province until defeat in World War I. The Chinese had sought to have the region fully restored to their control however the concessions were handed to the Japanese in 1919. This led to widespread popular protest and the rise of the May 4th Movement. In 1922 China finally managed to regain the concessions, however Japanese influence was fully entrenched in the region.
The principle reason for the design choice however was most likely the appointment of the new Governor of the Central Bank of China in 1933; the Finance Minister H.H. Kung, a powerful and central figure in the government. He was of the family of Confucius (at least according to tradition), the estate at Qufu was his ancestral burial ground and site of the Kung family mansion. Indeed, unusually, he had his signature placed alongside that of the General Manager on some of the currency between 1936 and 1945, including some of the issues being focused upon here.
(right) from the left: HH Kung, Soong Mei-ling (Madame Chiang-Kai-shek), and Chiang Kai-shek.
(right) from the left: HH Kung, Soong Mei-ling (Madame Chiang-Kai-shek), and Chiang Kai-shek.
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Three 1930s scenes from the Confucius Estate - the tomb (right) is of Confucius' son Kong Li, d.481 BC.
The Currency
The Chung Hwa Book Co. small change issues: 10, 20, 25 and 50 Cents. (1935-36)
Despite the claims of the World Paper Money catalogue which oddly dates these notes to 1931, they cannot have been issued before 1935. The simple reason is that the bank officials whose signatures appear on the reverse of all issues were not in office together until 1935. And when the subject matter of the vignettes is also taken into account, the time of issue becomes obvious. The first issued note of this series (the 10 cents) was placed into circulation in December 1935 ("The Catalogue of paper currency issued by the KMT government from 1935 by The Central Bank of China” by Zhang Zhichao).
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10 Cents (1 Jiao) of 1935 - 年四十二國民華中 December 1935. Green. (front) The avenue to the Apricot Platform of the Temple of Confucius, Qufu, Shantung. (back) patterns and amount. Printer: Chung Hwa Book Co. Ltd, Shanghai. Type 1 (Krause SCWPM P 202, Smith & Matravers C300-15): Engraved front. Type 2 specimen One signature type: Li Jue (General Manager) - Huang Xiufeng (Assistant Gen. Manager) 
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(Right): Images of the 1935 10 cent indicating the location of hidden characters and letters, both Chinese and English. Front: one Chinese character: 中, appears at the bottom left of the border of the vignette. Back: the letters 'T' 'O' 'R' (or A?) 'O' and 'H', and the number '10' appear at various positions upon the upper half of the back. |
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20 Cents (2 Jiao) of 1935 - 年四十二國民華中
Blue. (front) the gates to the Zhu river bridge at Kong Lin (Confucius Forest), Qufu. (back) patterns and amount. Unlike the 10 and 50 cents of this series, there are apparently no hidden security markings. Printer: Chung Hwa Book Co. Ltd, Shanghai. Type 1 (Krause SCWPM P 203, Smith & Matravers C300-20): Engraved front. Type 2 specimen One signature type: Li Jue (General Manager) - Huang Xiufeng (Assistant Gen. Manager) 
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25 Cents (2 1/2 Jiao) of 1935 - 年四十二國民華中
Red-pink. (front) temple gate at the Confucian Estate, Qufu. (back) patterns and amount. Unlike the 10 and 50 cents of this series, there are apparently no hidden security markings. This and the following 50 cent note are issues of c1936, issued alongside the 1936 1 yuan P210, below. The style of the notes are more related to the latter and carry the same type of serials, as opposed to the preceding 10 and 20 cents. An unusual, possibly unique denomination. Printer: Chung Hwa Book Co. Ltd, Shanghai. Type 1 (Krause SCWPM P 204, Smith & Matravers C300-23): Engraved front. Type 2 specimen One signature type: Li Jue (General Manager) - Huang Xiufeng (Assistant Gen. Manager) 
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50 Cents (5 Jiao) of 1935 - 年四十二國民華中
Purple. (front) The Dacheng Hall of the Temple of Confucius, Qufu. (back) patterns and amount. There are four letters concealed on the upper back; 'L' 'C' 'T' and 'H'. There are believed to be three serial varieties for this note though this seems doubtful. Printer: Chung Hwa Book Co. Ltd, Shanghai. Type 1 (Krause SCWPM P 205, Smith & Matravers C300-24): Engraved front. Type 2 specimen One signature type: Li Jue (General Manager) - Huang Xiufeng (Assistant Gen. Manager) 
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(Right): Images of the 1935 50 cent indicating the location of hidden characters and letters, both Chinese and English. Front: one Chinese character: 十, appears at the bottom left of the border of the vignette. Back: the letters 'L' 'C' 'T' and 'H', and three further characters appear at various positions upon the the back. |
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The Chung Hwa Book Co. 1936 'Pailou' issues
The front vignette is identical to that used on notes of the Shantung Minsheng Bank (Provincial). These pailou notes are unusual for having blue signatures.
The front vignette is identical to that used on notes of the Shantung Minsheng Bank (Provincial). These pailou notes are unusual for having blue signatures.
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1 Yuan of 1936 - 年五十二國民華中
Orange. (front) The pailou (of 1594) at the beginning of a 0.78 mile long processional avenue leading to the Confucius Cemetery. (back) patterns and amount. There are believed to be two signature varieties. Printer: Chung Hwa Book Co. Ltd, Shanghai. Type 1 (Krause SCWPM P 209, Smith & Matravers C300-91). Signature shown below. Type 1A Unconfirmed alleged second signature variety (an 'earlier' signature if so, and hence the earliest version of this note). Type 2 specimen Known signature type(s): Li Jue (General Manager) - Huang Xiufeng (Assistant Gen. Manager) 
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1 Yuan of 1936 - 年五十二國民華中
Orange/black. (front) The pailou (of 1594) at the beginning of a 0.78 mile long processional avenue leading to the Confucius Cemetery. (back) patterns and amount. The vignette of the gate is now printed in black. Printer: Chung Hwa Book Co. Ltd, Shanghai. Type 1 (Krause SCWPM P 210, Smith & Matravers C300-90). Type 2 specimen Known signature type(s): Li Jue (General Manager) - Huang Xiufeng (Assistant Gen. Manager) 
Hidden characters are found on both sides: Front: characters for 2 and 5, or 25, which is the abbreviated year; the 25th year of the republic; 1936. These appear either side of the actual date panel on the lower border (as indicated in far upper right image). Back: the first two characters (from right to left) of the Chinese bank name, along the top border (see lower far right image). A hook-like character which appears on other CRB Chung Hwa notes (see 1936 1 Yuan P 211). Lastly, the letters 'H', 'C' which appear in the lower border. Considered right to left, the letters may represent the initials of the printer Chung Hwa. |
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The Chung Hwa Book Co. 'Tripod Vessel' issues of 1936 and 1937
The 1936 1 Yuan (P 211) and 1937 5 and 10 Yuan notes portraying Dr Sun Yatsen on the front, are the only Chinese government notes (or any Republican period notes) to ever depict Confucius himself; in the back image in which he is shown meeting Lao Tzu, and this is based on an ancient stone relief. The image to the left is a detail of a nineteenth-century woodblock copy of part of this stone (tomb) relief from the Wu shrines in Jiaxiang county, Shandong province. This depicts a mythical meeting between Confucius and the legendary founder of Daoism, Lao-Tzu, and dates from the Second century A.D.
The Japanese occupiers however used portraiture of Confucius on many occasions in the issues of their puppet banks: the Federal Reserve Bank of China and the Central Bank of Manchukuo; a hollow gesture at appeasing and ingratiating their dubious currency with a hostile and oppressed populace.
The tripod vessel is said to be an ancient symbol of authority and unity, and is used here to represent the three ideals of "nationalism, democracy and people's livelihood," as stated by Dr Sun Yatsen.
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1 Yuan of 1936 - 年五十二國民華中
Orange. (front) ancient Shan bronze tripod vessel at left, archaic coin images in the borders, and, Sun Yatsen at right. (back) meeting between Confucius and Lao Tzu, an image taken from an 1800yr old stone relief. See above for further details of the imagery depicted on the note. Printer: Chung Hwa Book Co. Ltd, Shanghai. Type 1 (Krause SCWPM P 211a, Smith & Matravers C300-92a). (shown right)
Signatures: Li Jue (General Manager) - HH Kung (Governor) 
Type 2 (Krause SCWPM P 211b, Smith & Matravers C300-92b). Issued c.1942.
Signatures: Jun Li Yiu (General Manager) - HH Kung (Governor) 
Type 3 specimen
(right) The 1936 1 yuan indicating the location of hidden letters. Front: none? Back: three definite Chinese characters at the upper portion of the note as shown. A fourth smaller character appears at the foot of the child figure near to the centre. Two less certain marks or characters seem to flank the 'national currency' declaration at bottom centre. |
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5 Yuan of 1937 - 年六十二國民華中
Green. (front) ancient Shan bronze tripod vessel at left, archaic coin images in the borders, and, Sun Yatsen at right. (back) meeting between Confucius and Lao Tzu, an image taken from an 1800yr old stone relief. See above for further details of the imagery depicted on the note. One hidden character is identifiable - this is found on the lower back, to the right of the date '1937', amid the border patterns. Printer: Chung Hwa Book Co. Ltd, Shanghai. Type 1 (Krause SCWPM P 222, Smith & Matravers C300-110).
Signatures: Li Jue (General Manager) - HH Kung (Governor) 
Type 2 specimen
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10 Yuan of 1937 - 年六十二國民華中
Blue/Green. (front) ancient Shan bronze tripod vessel at left, archaic coin images in the borders, and, Sun Yatsen at right. (back) meeting between Confucius and Lao Tzu, an image taken from an 1800yr old stone relief. See above for further details of the imagery depicted on the note. Printer: Chung Hwa Book Co. Ltd, Shanghai. Type 1 (Krause SCWPM P 223a, Smith & Matravers C300-111). Type 2 (Krause SCWPM P 223b, Smith & Matravers C300-111). Without signatures (shown right). Remainder or unauthorized issue.
Signatures: Li Jue (General Manager) - HH Kung (Governor) 
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The Thomas De La Rue, London, issues of 1936
Issued from 1936 until c1942. This series appears to have been heavily counterfeited by the Japanese at their Noborito Laboratory at Kawasaki, Japan.
Remainder notes are sometimes encountered; most commonly of the 10 Yuan. These are possibly from stock unused due to the disruption of the Japanese invasion - the KMT had sent orders for unissued banknotes in Hong Kong, Shanghai and other locations to be destroyed as soon as possible in the event of Japanese occupation, however in many cases it is reported that bank staff were unable to destroy the vast quantities of currency quickly enough. Some examples of these remainder notes, and completed notes, show evidence of having been salvaged from fire; possibly fires intended to deliberately destroy the notes so they could not be used by the Japanese. In any case, whether through unauthorised issue of Nationalist currencies and through the forgery of such, the Japanese were able to flood China with 100s of Millions of Yuan in unauthorized notes.
Includes information from: http://blog.qq.com/qzone/22465225/1376495549.htm, author Xu Yili 许一力，青年经济学家，CCTV证券频道首席策略评论员，总制片人兼节目制作总监。
The serial numbers: the prefix (which never appears on the 1 Yuan) is actually a denomination 'marker'. These are roman numerals: V = 5 (yuan), X = 10 (yuan). (see also the Waterlow series P216-220)
Issued from 1936 until c1942. This series appears to have been heavily counterfeited by the Japanese at their Noborito Laboratory at Kawasaki, Japan.
Remainder notes are sometimes encountered; most commonly of the 10 Yuan. These are possibly from stock unused due to the disruption of the Japanese invasion - the KMT had sent orders for unissued banknotes in Hong Kong, Shanghai and other locations to be destroyed as soon as possible in the event of Japanese occupation, however in many cases it is reported that bank staff were unable to destroy the vast quantities of currency quickly enough. Some examples of these remainder notes, and completed notes, show evidence of having been salvaged from fire; possibly fires intended to deliberately destroy the notes so they could not be used by the Japanese. In any case, whether through unauthorised issue of Nationalist currencies and through the forgery of such, the Japanese were able to flood China with 100s of Millions of Yuan in unauthorized notes.
Includes information from: http://blog.qq.com/qzone/22465225/1376495549.htm, author Xu Yili 许一力，青年经济学家，CCTV证券频道首席策略评论员，总制片人兼节目制作总监。
The serial numbers: the prefix (which never appears on the 1 Yuan) is actually a denomination 'marker'. These are roman numerals: V = 5 (yuan), X = 10 (yuan). (see also the Waterlow series P216-220)
Notes with the Jun Li Yiu (Assistant Gen. Manager) and Li Jue (General Manager) signature combination carry a slightly different seal. The main difference is highlighted though there are others:
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1 Yuan of 1936 - 年五十二國民華中
Red. (front) Dr Sun Yatsen at left. (back) avenue with the first gate to the Confucius family (Kong) cemetery, adjacent to the Kong mansion and temple, Qufu. Watermark: Sun Yatsen's profile facing left (coinage portrait) Printer: Thomas De La Rue & Co Ltd London. Type 1 (Krause SCWPM P 212a, Smith & Matravers C300-93a). (Shown right)
Signatures: Huang Xiufeng (Assistant Gen. Manager) - Li Jue (General Manager) 
Type 2 (Krause SCWPM P 212b, Smith & Matravers C300-93c). c.1941-42 issue. Final? and scarcest of the three varieties as Jun Li Yiu soon took over as General Manager. Seal variation (see above).
Signatures: Jun Li Yiu (Assistant Gen. Manager) - Li Jue (General Manager) 
Type 3 (Krause SCWPM P 212c, Smith & Matravers C300-93b). c.1941-42 issue.
Signatures: Tianyi Min (Assistant Gen. Manager) - Li Jue (General Manager) 
Type 4 Specimen
This 1 Yuan also appears as a Japanese propaganda parody (right). This was a form of safe conduct pass which bore the standard face of the note. The reverse however was altered to incorporate messages promising safe passage for the bearer into the territory held by the Nanking (Japanese puppet) government. At least one other version is known with a varying text. |
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5 Yuan of 1936 - 年五十二國民華中
Green. (front) Dr Sun Yatsen at left. (back) avenue with the first gate to the Confucius family (Kong) cemetery, adjacent to the Kong mansion and temple, Qufu. Watermark: Sun Yatsen's profile facing left (coinage portrait) Printer: Thomas De La Rue & Co Ltd London. Type 1 (Krause SCWPM P 213a, Smith & Matravers C300-96a).
Signatures: Huang Xiufeng (Assistant Gen. Manager) - Li Jue (General Manager) 
Type 2 (Krause SCWPM P 213b, Smith & Matravers C300-96c). c.1941-42 issue. (shown right). Final? and scarcest of the three varieties as Jun Li Yiu soon took over as General Manager. Seal variation (see above).
Signatures: Jun Li Yiu (Assistant Gen. Manager) - Li Jue (General Manager) 
Type 3 (Krause SCWPM P 213c, Smith & Matravers C300-96b). c.1941-42 issue.
Signatures: Tianyi Min (Assistant Gen. Manager) - Li Jue (General Manager) 
Type 4 Remainder without seals on front or signatures on the back (right).
Type 5 Specimen |
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10 Yuan of 1936 - 年五十二國民華中
Blue. (front) Dr Sun Yatsen at left. (back) avenue with the first gate to the Confucius family (Kong) cemetery, adjacent to the Kong mansion and temple, Qufu. Watermark: Sun Yatsen's profile facing left (coinage portrait) Printer: Thomas De La Rue & Co Ltd London. Type 1 (Krause SCWPM P 214a, Smith & Matravers C300-100a).
Signatures: Huang Xiufeng (Assistant Gen. Manager) - Li Jue (General Manager) 
Type 2 (Krause SCWPM P 214b, Smith & Matravers C300-100c). c.1941-42 issue. Final? and scarcest of the three varieties as Jun Li Yiu soon took over as General Manager. Seal variation (see above).
Signatures: Jun Li Yiu (Assistant Gen. Manager) - Li Jue (General Manager) 
Type 3 (Krause SCWPM P 214c, Smith & Matravers C300-100b). c.1941-42 issue. (shown upper right)
Signatures: Tianyi Min (Assistant Gen. Manager) - Li Jue (General Manager) 
Type 4 Remainder without seals on front or signatures on the back (right)
Type 5 Specimen |
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The Waterlow & Sons, London, issues of 1936
The Standard Catalog of World Paper Money describes the building depicted in the back vignette as the "Temple. The Palace of China in Peking". Wherever this description originates, it is erroneous. The building is the main hall (Dacheng Hall) of the Temple of Confucius 孔庙, at the Kong/Confucius estate at Qufu in Shantung (Shandong) Province (left).
All notes carry a tiny 'hidden' character on the front and a letter on the back.
The signature combinations on this series are unusual as they don't appear to make any clear chronological sense. Either one (or more) official left and later returned to a role, or one of the later combinations is a mistake?
The serial numbers: the suffix (which never appears on the 1 Yuan) is actually a denomination 'marker' which is why the font used for this in the Waterlow series is different. These suffixes are actually roman numerals: V = 5 (yuan), X = 10 (yuan), L = 50 (yuan), C = 100 (yuan), D = 500 (yuan).
There are two varieties of serial number font on the 1, 5 and 10 Yuan of this series. The first and less frequent is a serif serial (as that which is used on all 50, 100 and 500 Yuan notes). This only appears on A or B prefix notes with the signatures of: Huang Xiufeng (Assistant Gen. Manager) - Li Jue (General Manager).
The Standard Catalog of World Paper Money describes the building depicted in the back vignette as the "Temple. The Palace of China in Peking". Wherever this description originates, it is erroneous. The building is the main hall (Dacheng Hall) of the Temple of Confucius 孔庙, at the Kong/Confucius estate at Qufu in Shantung (Shandong) Province (left).
All notes carry a tiny 'hidden' character on the front and a letter on the back.
The signature combinations on this series are unusual as they don't appear to make any clear chronological sense. Either one (or more) official left and later returned to a role, or one of the later combinations is a mistake?
The serial numbers: the suffix (which never appears on the 1 Yuan) is actually a denomination 'marker' which is why the font used for this in the Waterlow series is different. These suffixes are actually roman numerals: V = 5 (yuan), X = 10 (yuan), L = 50 (yuan), C = 100 (yuan), D = 500 (yuan).
There are two varieties of serial number font on the 1, 5 and 10 Yuan of this series. The first and less frequent is a serif serial (as that which is used on all 50, 100 and 500 Yuan notes). This only appears on A or B prefix notes with the signatures of: Huang Xiufeng (Assistant Gen. Manager) - Li Jue (General Manager).
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The seals: notes with the Jun Li Yiu (Assistant Gen. Manager) and Li Jue (General Manager) signature combination carry a slightly different seal. The main difference is highlighted though there are others:
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There are also two width varieties found with a far larger or a lesser gap between the seals. This is found with both seal types. The example images of both types (standard and Tibetan overprint) of the 10 Yuan below (P 218) additionally show the two serial spacing types.
Some examples of the 1, 5 and 10 Yuan are found with Tibetan overprints in red (front) and black (back). Examples of the 50 and 100 Yuan are also found though there is some doubt as to their authenticity (for reasons unknown). Predictably, modern additions occur for all types as these overprinted notes are scarcer and hence more valuable. There is no known Tibetan overprint for the 500 Yuan. Images: (left) upper front overprint. (right) lower front overprint. The back overprints are identical but printed in black.
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1 Yuan of 1936 - 年五十二國民華中
Orange. (front) Dr Sun Yatsen at left. (back) The Dacheng Hall of the Temple of Confucius, Qufu, Shantung (Shandong). Watermark: Sun Yatsen's profile facing left (coinage portrait) Printer: Waterlow & Sons Ltd, London. Type 1 (Krause SCWPM P 216a, Smith & Matravers C300-94b). Two serial varieties.
Signatures: Huang Xiufeng (Assistant Gen. Manager) - Li Jue (General Manager) 
Type 2 (Krause SCWPM P 216b, Smith & Matravers C300-94a). Issued from 1942. (shown right)
Signatures: Tianyi Min (Assistant Gen. Manager) - Jun Li Yiu (General Manager) 
Type 3 (Krause SCWPM P 216c, Smith & Matravers C300-94c). Issued from 1941.
Signatures: Jun Li Yiu (Assistant Gen. Manager) - Li Jue (General Manager) 
Type 4 (Krause SCWPM P 216d, Smith & Matravers C300-94d). Issued from 1941.
Signatures: Tianyi Min (Assistant Gen. Manager) - Li Jue (General Manager) 
Type 5 (Krause SCWPM P 216e, Smith & Matravers C300-95). Tibetan overprint on front and back. (shown right) Note: some overprints are modern additions.
Type 6 (Krause SCWPM P 216s1,s2). Various specimen types. |
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5 Yuan of 1936 - 年五十二國民華中
Green. (front) Dr Sun Yatsen at left. (back) The Dacheng Hall of the Temple of Confucius, Qufu, Shantung (Shandong). Watermark: Sun Yatsen's profile facing left (coinage portrait) Printer: Waterlow & Sons Ltd, London. Type 1 (Krause SCWPM P 217a, Smith & Matravers C300-97b). Two serial varieties. (early serif serial type; right)
Signatures: Huang Xiufeng (Assistant Gen. Manager) - Li Jue (General Manager) 
Type 2 (Krause SCWPM P 217b, Smith & Matravers C300-97a). Issued from 1941.
Signatures: Jun Li Yiu (Assistant Gen. Manager) - Li Jue (General Manager) 
Type 3 (Krause SCWPM P 217c, Smith & Matravers C300-97c). Issued from 1942.
Signatures: Tianyi Min (Assistant Gen. Manager) - Li Jue (General Manager) 
Type 4 (Krause SCWPM P 217d, Smith & Matravers C300-98). Tibetan overprint on front and back. Note: some overprint examples are modern. The overprint should only be found on the Type 1 signature variety. (shown right)
Type 5 (Krause SCWPM P 216s1 unlisted). Various specimen types. |
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10 Yuan of 1936 - 年五十二國民華中
Blue. (front) Dr Sun Yatsen at left. (back) The Dacheng Hall of the Temple of Confucius, Qufu, Shantung (Shandong). Watermark: Sun Yatsen's profile facing left (coinage portrait) and a Greek key pattern. Printer: Waterlow & Sons Ltd, London. Type 1 (Krause SCWPM P 218a, Smith & Matravers C300-101b). Two serial varieties.
Signatures: Huang Xiufeng (Assistant Gen. Manager) - Li Jue (General Manager) 
Type 2 (Krause SCWPM P 218b, Smith & Matravers C300-101d). Issued from 1941. (Shown right)
Signatures: Huang Xiufeng (Assistant Gen. Manager) - Jun Li Yiu (General Manager) 
Type 3 (Krause SCWPM P 218c, Smith & Matravers C300-101c). Issued from 1942.
Signatures: Tianyi Min (Assistant Gen. Manager) - Jun Li Yiu (General Manager) 
Type 4 (Krause SCWPM P 218d, Smith & Matravers C300-101a). Issued from 1941.
Signatures: Jun Li Yiu (Assistant Gen. Manager) - Li Jue (General Manager) 
Type 5 (Krause SCWPM P 218e, Smith & Matravers C300-101e). Issued from 1942.
Signatures: Tianyi Min (Assistant Gen. Manager) - Li Jue (General Manager) 
Type 6 (Krause SCWPM P 218f, Smith & Matravers C300-102). Tibetan overprint on front and back. Note: some overprint examples are modern. (genuine shown right)
Type 7 (Krause SCWPM P 218s). Various specimen types. |
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50 Yuan of 1936 - 年五十二國民華中
Blue/multicolour. (front) Dr Sun Yatsen at left. (back) The Dacheng Hall of the Temple of Confucius, Qufu, Shantung (Shandong). At the top right hand of the front underprint, under the serial number, there is a patent mark: "Kaleidochrome, Reg. No. 5(4)2471, Brit. Pat. No., 402028". Watermark: Sun Yatsen's profile facing left (coinage portrait) with '50' plus mesh pattern across note Printer: Waterlow & Sons Ltd, London. Type 1 (Krause SCWPM P 219a, Smith & Matravers C300-103a). Engraved signatures. Specimens known. Issued from 1942.
Signatures: Jun Li Yiu (General Manager) - H.H. Kung (Governor) 
Type 2 (Krause SCWPM P 219b, Smith & Matravers C300-103c). Black signatures. 'Chungking' 重慶 overprint in English and Chinese. Specimens known. (right: specimen example, lower right: back image of a circulated example).
Signatures: Li Jue (General Manager) - HH Kung (Governor) 
Type 2A (Krause SCWPM P 219b, Smith & Matravers C300-103c). Black/engraved signatures. 'Chungking' 重慶 overprint in English and Chinese. Suspected but not confirmed.
Signatures: Jun Li Yiu (General Manager) - H.H. Kung (Governor) 
Type 3 (Krause SCWPM P 219c, Smith & Matravers C300-103b). Tibetan overprint on front and back. Note: some overprint examples are modern - some however doubt whether any of the 50 Yuan examples are genuine. (right: example of the front). |
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100 Yuan of 1936 - 年五十二國民華中
Green/multicolour. (front) Dr Sun Yatsen at left. (back) The Dacheng Hall of the Temple of Confucius, Qufu, Shantung (Shandong). At the top right hand of the front underprint, under the serial number, there is a patent mark: "Kaleidochrome, Reg. No. 5(4)2471, Brit. Pat. No., 402028". Watermark: Sun Yatsen's profile facing left (coinage portrait) with '100' plus mesh pattern across note Printer: Waterlow & Sons Ltd, London. Type 1 (Krause SCWPM P 220a, Smith & Matravers C300-104a). Engraved signatures. Specimens known. Issued from 1942. (shown right)
Signatures: Jun Li Yiu (General Manager) - H.H. Kung (Governor) 
Type 2 (Krause SCWPM P 220b, Smith & Matravers C300-105). Black signatures. 'Chungking' 重慶 overprint in English and Chinese. Specimens known. (see Type 2 and 3 examples right)
Signatures: Li Jue (General Manager) - HH Kung (Governor) 
Type 3 (Krause SCWPM P 220b unlisted, Smith & Matravers C300-105). Black/engraved signatures. 'Chungking' 重慶 overprint in English and Chinese. Examples known but authenticity uncertain. (see Type 2 and 3 examples upper right).
Also: a Chinese auction site listed this unusual example (lower right) with large red overprints. Either an unofficial alteration, or a modern fantasy. Signatures: Jun Li Yiu (General Manager) - H.H. Kung (Governor) 
Type 4 (Krause SCWPM P 220c, Smith & Matravers C300-104b). Tibetan overprint on front and back. Black signatures. See example (right).
Note: some overprint examples may be modern. |
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500 Yuan of 1936 - 年五十二國民華中
Red/multicolour. (front) Dr Sun Yatsen at left. (back) The Dacheng Hall of the Temple of Confucius, Qufu, Shantung (Shandong). At the top right hand of the front underprint, under the serial number, there is a patent mark: "Kaleidochrome, Reg. No. 5(4)2471, Brit. Pat. No., 402028". Watermark: Sun Yatsen's profile facing left (coinage portrait) with '500' plus mesh pattern across note Printer: Waterlow & Sons Ltd, London. Type 1 (Krause SCWPM P 219a, Smith & Matravers C300-106). Engraved signatures. Specimens known. Issued from c.1942.
Signatures: Jun Li Yiu (General Manager) - H.H. Kung (Governor) 
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A video from Youtube which focus on the Qufu Temple and Confucius estate, and the Confucian ceremonies that continue there, having been revived in recent years following their halt in 1963.
