1940 Central Bank of China 20 Cent Banknote, Blue Border, Pick-227a, PCGS Superb Gem UNC 67 PPQ | High-grade banknote from the Republic of China era featuring a portrait of Sun Yat-sen | GoldSilverJapan
The 1940 Central Bank of China 20-cent banknote is a historically significant banknote indispensable to the history of currency during the Republic of China era. Known as catalog number Pick-227a and Smith-Matravers C300-131, this banknote is highly sought after by Chinese banknote collectors as a "Blue Borders" type. The particular banknote presented here is in exceptionally high-quality condition, having received a Superb Gem UNC 67 PPQ rating from PCGS Banknote, and maintains excellent original condition even more than 80 years after its issuance. The obverse features a portrait of Sun Yat-sen (Sun Zhongshan), known as the founding father of modern China, making it a historically significant design themed around a figure symbolizing modern Chinese history. In the world of banknote collecting, banknotes from the Republic of China era have recently attracted considerable attention in the international market, and among them, high-grade PCGS-certified banknotes are highly valued by collectors and investors worldwide. GoldSilverJapan showcases high-quality banknotes from around the world that possess both historical and collectible value, and this particular banknote is a fascinating example representing the modern Chinese banknote collection.
The most distinctive feature of the front design is the portrait of Sun Yat-sen placed on the right. Sun Yat-sen is known as the founding father of the Republic of China and is one of the most important figures in modern Chinese history. He was a statesman who led the Xinhai Revolution and brought an end to the Qing Dynasty, and is widely revered as a spiritual symbol of the construction of the Republic of China. The fact that Sun Yat-sen's portrait was used on many banknotes from the Republic of China era demonstrates his historical importance. On this banknote, the portrait is depicted using precise intaglio printing technology, and even the fine details of the eyes and clothing are beautifully rendered. The characters "萳角" (two jiao), indicating the face value, are prominently placed in the center, and the face value can also be seen in the four corners. The design, based on blue, is very beautiful and is the origin of the name "blue border." Furthermore, decorative patterns incorporating traditional Chinese styles surround the banknote, and despite being a modern banknote, it strongly conveys the aesthetic sense of Chinese culture. This high level of artistry is one of the reasons why Republic of China banknotes are supported by collectors around the world.
The reverse side features the large English inscription "THE CENTRAL BANK OF CHINA," expressing the presence of the Bank of China as an international financial institution. The denomination number "20" is prominently displayed in the center, surrounded by an intricate guilloché pattern. This design represents the banknote manufacturing technology of the first half of the 20th century, with complex line patterns applied across the entire surface for anti-counterfeiting purposes. The English inscription on the reverse side indicates China's emphasis on financial transactions with the international community at the time, making it an interesting element for understanding the historical context. The printing company is listed as CHB (Chung Hwa Book Co., Ltd.), making it an important document for research into the history of modern Chinese banknote printing. The combination of blue and light green is very elegant, and it is known as one of the most visually appealing series of Chinese banknotes. With its beautiful colors and high-precision printing technology, this banknote is well worth appreciating as a work of art.
The year of issue, 1940, was an extremely important period in modern Chinese history. At that time, China was in the midst of the Second Sino-Japanese War, experiencing a period of great political and economic upheaval. The central banknotes issued against this backdrop played a crucial role in supporting the maintenance of China's financial system. This particular banknote is a relatively small denomination of 20 cents and is believed to have been widely used in daily circulation. However, due to the harsh conditions of wartime, there are not many examples that have been preserved in perfect, uncirculated condition. Therefore, high-grade examples are highly rare in the current market. Furthermore, due to the recent boom in collecting Chinese banknotes, demand for banknotes from the Republic of China era has expanded in the international market, and banknotes featuring Sun Yat-sen's portrait and central banknotes, in particular, maintain stable popularity. This banknote is not merely old currency, but also a valuable historical document that tells the story of modern Chinese history, financial history, and wartime economic history.
This particular banknote has been graded Superb Gem UNC 67 PPQ by PCGS Banknote. A grade of 67 indicates extremely high preservation and is a premium rank in the banknote collecting market. Furthermore, PPQ (Premium Paper Quality) means that the paper quality is completely original and has not undergone any cleaning or restoration treatment. The PPQ designation is a very important element in high-end banknote collections and is highly valued by collectors worldwide. This banknote retains its vivid colors, excellent paper quality, and sharp print details, preserving almost its original condition from the time of issue. According to PCGS data, there are even higher graded banknotes of this type, but 67 PPQ is an excellent grade that ranks among the very best of those circulating in the market. It is an attractive Chinese high-grade banknote not only in terms of collection value but also in terms of future marketability and investment potential. Please note that the serial number printed on each banknote is unique. The serial number in the image is an example and the actual banknote sold may have a different number.
GoldSilverJapan handles historical and highly authenticated banknotes from around the world, but this 1940 Central Bank of China 20-cent blue border banknote is a representative example that encapsulates the allure of Chinese banknote collecting. The combination of Sun Yat-sen's portrait, the historical context of the Republic of China era, the beautiful blue color design, and the high PCGS Superb Gem UNC 67 PPQ rating makes it a highly regarded banknote supported by collectors worldwide. Suitable for a wide range of themes such as Chinese banknote collections, Asian banknote collections, Sun Yat-sen related collections, and PCGS highly authenticated banknote collections, it has the appeal to satisfy both beginners and advanced collectors. In recent years, international interest in modern Chinese banknotes has continued to grow, and the demand for high-quality authenticated banknotes is also on the rise. This banknote possesses important cultural heritage value that tells the story of Chinese financial history and modern history, while also being a noteworthy collector's item that combines excellent design with a high level of preservation.
FAQ
Q. Which country's currency is this banknote?
A. These are banknotes issued by the central bank of China (Republic of China).
Q. What year was it published?
A. It was published in 1940.
Q. What is the face value?
A. It's 20 cents (20 Cents, 貳角).
Q. What is the Pick number?
A. It's a Pick-227a.
Q. What is the Smith-Matravers number?
A. C300-131.
Q. What is a blue border?
A. This is a popular variation featuring a blue-based border design.
Q. Who is depicted on the surface?
A. This is Sun Yat-sen (Sun Zhongshan), known as the founding father of the Republic of China.
Q. Which bank issued it?
A. The Central Bank of China.
Q. Which printing company do you use?
A. CHB (Chung Hwa Book Co., Ltd.)
Q. What is the PCGS grade?
A. Superb Gem UNC 67 PPQ.
Q. What is PPQ?
A. This is an abbreviation for Premium Paper Quality, indicating that the original paper quality is maintained.
Q. Is this banknote unused?
A. Yes. These are unused banknotes with a UNC (Uncirculated) rating.
Q. Is the serial number the same as the one in the image?
A. They are not necessarily the same. Serial numbers differ for each individual unit.
Q. Why is it so popular?
A. Because it has all the elements: a portrait of Sun Yat-sen, issued by the Central Bank of China, and a high appraisal grade.
Q. Is it attracting attention as an investment target?
A. Yes. The expansion of the modern Chinese banknote market is increasing the demand for high-quality certified banknotes.
Q. What are the benefits of PCGS certification?
A. The authenticity and condition of the item are guaranteed by a third-party organization.
Q. Is this recommended for beginners in collecting Chinese banknotes?
A. Yes. It is a representative banknote that combines historical significance with popularity.
Q. Is this banknote issued during wartime?
A. Yes. It's a banknote issued during the Sino-Japanese War in 1940.
Q. What are the distinguishing features of this banknote?
A. Its key features include a portrait of Sun Yat-sen, a beautiful blue design, and a high PCGS 67 PPQ rating.
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