Catalog
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| Issuer | Hell Bank |
|---|---|
| Year | |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | Log in to see details |
| Composition | Paper |
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| Printer | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | 冥通銀行 壹佰萬 地府通用 E64865 |
| Reverse description | Log in to see details |
| Reverse lettering | 1000000 E64865 Hell Bank Note 地府通用鈔票 |
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| Comments |
Hell Bank notes — also called "ghost money" or "joss paper" — are ceremonial items burned during Chinese funerary rites and festivals such as the Qingming and Hungry Ghost observances. The practice of burning paper offerings for the deceased predates printed banknotes by centuries, but the Bank of Hell format, mimicking real currency complete with serial numbers and official-looking seals, became widespread in the twentieth century largely through Hong Kong manufacturers supplying diaspora communities worldwide.
Not a financial instrument by any definition. Catalogued here for completeness.