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1 Customs Gold Unit
| Issuer | Central Bank of China |
|---|---|
| Year | 1930 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | 1 Customs Gold Unit (1 關金圓) |
| Currency | Log in to see details |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Printer | Log in to see details |
| Designer(s) | Log in to see details |
| Engraver(s) | Log in to see details |
| In circulation to | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | 行銀央中 海上 付即票憑 關 金 壹 圓 印年九十國民華中 司公票鈔國美 (Translation: Central Bank of China Shanghai Pay on Demand 1 Customs Gold Unit Printed in the 19th year of the Republic of China American Bank Note Company) |
| Reverse description | Log in to see details |
| Reverse lettering | THE CENTRAL BANK OF CHINA PROMISES TO PAY THE BEARER ON DEMAND AT ITS OFFICE HERE ONE CUSTOMS GOLD UNIT SHANGHAI, 1930 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY |
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| Comments |
The Customs Gold Unit was not a conventional circulating currency — it was an accounting denomination created in 1930 to stabilize tariff revenues at a time when China's silver-based monetary system was lurching under the pressure of volatile world silver prices. By fixing customs duties to a gold-indexed unit rather than to fluctuating silver yuan, the Nationalist government could project reliable revenue figures to foreign creditors and bond holders.
ABNC produced the series to a high technical standard, as was routine for their Chinese government contracts of this period. The denomination saw limited retail circulation and functioned primarily within the customs and treaty-port commercial machinery.