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100 Yuan Central Bank of China
| Issuer | Central Bank of China |
|---|---|
| Year | 1944 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Log in to see details |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Printer | Central Bank of China Printing Works |
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| Engraver(s) | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Central vignette within an oval frame presents a Pai-Lou ceremonial gate set against a landscape with trees and sky. Denomination panels reading 壹百圓 appear in ornate cartouches at left and right, with additional corner numerals. Two red seal stamps flank the lower portion of the central vignette, and the serial number appears twice in red across the upper field. The issuer name 中央銀行 is printed in large characters at the top, with the date inscription running along the lower margin. |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | The reverse is printed in dark green on a fine guilloche underprint. A large shield-shaped guilloche panel occupies the centre, bearing the bold numeral 100 above and below the denomination legend ONE HUNDRED YUAN. The bank title THE CENTRAL BANK OF CHINA arcs across the top in an ornate banner, flanked by elaborate scrollwork borders. Numeral 100 appears in circular medallions at all four corners, and the year 1944 is inscribed at the foot of the central panel between two signature lines attributed to the Assistant General Manager and General Manager. |
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| Comments |
By 1944 the Central Bank of China was printing currency in quantities that bore little relationship to any underlying reserve. Wartime inflation was already severe — the 100 Yuan note that could feed a family in 1937 had lost the overwhelming majority of its purchasing power by the time this issue reached circulation. The Printing Works was essentially running presses to fund a war effort, not to maintain a functional monetary system.
Hyperinflation accelerated sharply through 1945–1948, which means notes of this period were cycled through transactions rapidly and discarded. High-denomination survivors in any condition tend to show hard use.