VINTAGE 1935 Bank of Communications 5 Yuan – Sailing Junk & Summer Palace – WWII Shanghai Souvenir

🌊 Sailing into history – This striking 1935 5 Yuan banknote, issued by the Bank of Communications, Republic of China, features a traditional Chinese sailing junk on one side and the serene beauty of Beijing’s Summer Palace on the other, rendered in intricate detail.

🏯 Architectural elegance – The reverse showcases the Summer Palace, an enduring symbol of Chinese heritage, framed in ornate scrollwork that captures the artistry of early 20th-century banknote design.

📜 A soldier’s story – My father served as a U.S. Army payroll sergeant in Shanghai during WWII. When Chinese currency was devalued beyond use, the U.S. paid soldiers in American dollars instead. When he asked what to do with the worthless bills, his commanding officer famously replied: "I don't care if you decorate your Christmas tree with it!" And they did—stringing them together like garlands. Many notes still bear tape marks from that holiday display.

🎁 A unique keepsake – Whether you collect military memorabilia, vintage Asian banknotes, or simply appreciate the art and history of currency, this piece offers a tangible link to a remarkable era.
Date: 1935
Denomination: 5 Yuan
Issuer: Bank of Communications, Republic of China
Imagery: Chinese sailing junk, Summer Palace
Condition: Crisp with tape marks along edges from wartime decoration tradition
Photos are of the exact note you will receive