VINTAGE 1935 Chinese Banknote Display. Bank of Communications 5 Yuan. Sailing Junk & Temple. Shanghai Collection. WWII Souvenir

✨ Historic Chinese Currency Presented for Display
Part of my Shanghai Collection Series, this authentic 1935 Bank of Communications 5 Yuan banknote is presented in a clear magnetic acrylic display holder that allows both sides of the note to be viewed and enjoyed.
Featuring a traditional Chinese sailing junk on one side and a temple overlooking the water on the other, this note captures two iconic images of historic China. The detailed engraving, elegant borders, and rich monochromatic palette make it equally appealing as a collectible and a decorative display piece.
📜 A Family Story From Shanghai
This note comes from a group brought home from Shanghai by my father during his military service. During the years surrounding World War II, inflation, political upheaval, and currency reforms led to many earlier Chinese banknotes being withdrawn from circulation.
According to family tradition, my father asked what should be done with the obsolete notes. His commanding officer reportedly replied:
"I don't care if you decorate your Christmas tree with them."
So they did.
Many notes from this group retained traces of tape from those holiday decorations decades later. This example preserves a tangible connection to both family history and a remarkable chapter of twentieth-century history.
⛵ Transportation & Architecture
The front depicts a traditional Chinese sailing junk navigating open water, reflecting the importance of maritime commerce and transportation.
The reverse features a temple or pagoda complex overlooking a lake, creating a beautiful contrast between movement and permanence. Together, the paired scenes create one of the most visually balanced designs in the collection.
🌍 Historic Bank of Communications Issue
Founded in the early twentieth century, the Bank of Communications was one of China's major financial institutions. Notes such as this were produced using sophisticated engraving and security printing techniques that transformed everyday currency into miniature works of art.
🧲 Magnetic Acrylic Display Holder
• Clear acrylic construction
• Displays both front and back of the note
• Held together with concealed magnets
• Note is not glued or permanently mounted
• Opens easily for closer examination
• Suitable for bookshelf, office, library, study, or curio cabinet display
📋 Condition
Vintage condition with visible signs of age, handling, folds, edge wear, and historical storage. Age-related toning and evidence of prior mounting are present. The engraved imagery remains attractive and clearly visible. Please review photographs carefully as they form part of the description.
🎯 Perfect For
• Chinese history enthusiasts
• Currency collectors
• Maritime history enthusiasts
• Asian-inspired décor
• Library and office displays
• Historical artwork collections
• Unique gifts for history lovers
📦 Free U.S. Shipping
The price you see includes shipping anywhere in the United States. Your note will be carefully packaged and shipped in its magnetic acrylic display holder, ready for display upon arrival.
From The Shanghai Collection Series
This note is part of a collection of historic Chinese banknotes brought home from Shanghai by my father following his military service. Each note is presented in a magnetic acrylic display holder that allows both sides to be viewed while preserving the ability to remove the note for closer examination.