VINTAGE 1928 Chinese Banknote Display. Central Bank 500 Yuan. Sun Yat-sen Portrait. Temple Gate Scene. Shanghai Collection. WWII Souvenir

✨ Historic Chinese Currency Presented for Display
Part of my Shanghai Collection Series, this authentic 1928 Central Bank 500 Yuan banknote is presented in a clear magnetic acrylic display holder that allows both sides of the note to be viewed and enjoyed.
Issued during a formative period in modern Chinese history, this note combines an engraved portrait of Sun Yat-sen with an architectural temple gate scene, creating one of the most elegant and balanced designs in the collection.
The soft green, black, and sepia color palette, combined with intricate engraving and ornate borders, transforms this historic banknote into a striking 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 decades that followed its issue, China experienced war, occupation, inflation, and currency reforms that eventually rendered many earlier banknotes obsolete.
According to family tradition, my father asked what should be done with the old 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 unique connection to both family history and one of the most dramatic periods of twentieth-century history.
🏛 Portrait & Architecture
The front features an engraved portrait of Sun Yat-sen paired with an architectural temple gate scene. The reverse is dominated by an elaborate engraved denomination panel showcasing the craftsmanship of early twentieth-century security printing.
Together, the imagery represents both the political and cultural heritage of Republican-era China.
🌍 Historic Printing Craftsmanship
Like many banknotes of the period, this note was produced using highly specialized engraving techniques and sophisticated anti-counterfeiting features. The detailed line work and ornamental patterns remain impressive nearly a century after the note was issued.
🧲 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, creases, and historical storage. Age-related toning and evidence of prior mounting are present. Please review photographs carefully as they form part of the description.
🎯 Perfect For
• Chinese history enthusiasts
• Currency collectors
• WWII history collections
• 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.