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5 Taels Hubu Guanpiao, second issue
| Issuer | Hubu (Board of Revenue), Qing Dynasty |
|---|---|
| Year | 1853-1864 |
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| Value | Log in to see details |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Shape | Rectangular |
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| Obverse description | Vertically oriented note printed in black on cream paper, with a blue dragon vignette border running along the right edge. The upper portion carries the issuing authority inscription 戶部官票 (Hubu Guanpiao) in a central panel, with the denomination 伍 (five) rendered in a large red official seal impression at centre. The Xianfeng reign era date and serial number appear in vertical columns to the left, accompanied by additional red supervisory stamps attesting issuance authority. |
|---|---|
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| Protection description | Multiple red ink official seal impressions applied by supervising Hubu officials to authenticate the note. |
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| Comments |
The Hubu Guanpiao was introduced in 1853 as a fiscal emergency measure — the Taiping Rebellion had devastated government revenues and drained the treasury of copper cash, forcing the Qing court to authorize paper currency for the first time in centuries. The Board of Revenue printed these notes in Beijing on mulberry bark paper using woodblock techniques, placing full faith in bureaucratic seals and imperial authority rather than any mechanical anti-counterfeiting measure.
Acceptance was compelled, not earned. Merchants resented the forced circulation rate and frequently discounted the notes in practice. By 1861 the system was effectively collapsing under inflation and public distrust, and official redemption was suspended well before the series ended in 1864.