1924 China National Industrial Bank Shanghai Five Yuan 5 Dollars Horse Vintage Banknote
Front Description:
Genuine historical Chinese banknote issued by The National Industrial Bank of China (中國實業銀行), denominated Five Yuan/Dollars (伍圓), Shanghai issue, dated the 13th year of the Republic of China (1924). Intaglio (engraved) printing in predominantly red on a tan/olive guilloche underprint, produced by the American Bank Note Company (per the reverse imprint). This example is very heavily worn and covered in circulation chops.
The top banner bears the bank name in Chinese, reading right to left: 中國實業銀行 (Zhōngguó Shíyè Yínháng — "The National Industrial Bank of China"), with a small line beneath reading 政府特許發行 (issued by special government permission/authorisation). The formal denomination character 伍 (five) is repeated in the corner medallions and side panels, and the large denomination 伍圓 (Five Yuan) appears in ornamental cartouches to left and right of centre.
The left and right vertical side panels read 上海 (Shànghǎi), identifying the place of issue. At centre is an engraved vignette of a galloping horse rendered in red within an arched ornamental frame, over which several large black circular chop/handstamps have been struck (two flanking the top and one over the horse itself, contents largely illegible). The lower central panel carries red Chinese text 憑票付國幣伍圓 (payable on demand in five yuan of national currency) with the date line 中華民國十三年印 (Printed, 13th year of the Republic of China = 1924) beneath.
Signatures: a bold handwritten black ink signature "H. C. Kung" appears at lower left over the caption "MANAGING DIRECTOR," and a second black ink signature at lower right over the caption "MANAGER." The serial number "K885581" appears in black at top left and top right (partly obscured by chops). Purple ink staining and additional handstamp marks appear across the note.
Condition (technical): extremely heavily circulated, approximately Poor / "collector filler" grade. Deep folds with splitting along the central vertical and horizontal folds, major edge and corner loss, extensive fraying and chipping, heavy soiling and darkening, paper thinning and softness throughout, and numerous heavy chop/handstamp marks obscuring much of the design.
Back Description:
Printed in red intaglio on a tan guilloche underprint, now much darkened and worn. Across the top, a banner reads "THE NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL BANK OF CHINA," with a block letter "D" beneath. Central promissory text reads "PROMISES TO PAY THE BEARER ON DEMAND AT ITS OFFICE HERE." At centre is a rectangular framed panel (design largely obscured by wear). Large ornate denomination numerals "5" appear at left and right within decorative floral roundels.
The place of issue "SHANGHAI" appears in black overprint above the lower denomination line, with "FIVE YUAN" in red ornamental lettering at centre bottom, flanked by the serial number "K885581" repeated at left and right in blue/black. Beneath this, smaller text reads "OF THE NATIONAL COINAGE OF THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA, ISSUED BY SPECIAL PERMISSION OF THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT." Numerous purple and black circular chops/handstamps and manuscript ink marks are scattered across the note, particularly at the corners and right side. The printer's imprint at the very bottom reads "AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY."
Character summary (as transcribed):
中國實業銀行 (The National Industrial Bank of China) · 政府特許發行 (issued by special government permission) · 伍圓 (Five Yuan) · 伍 (Five) · 上海 (Shanghai) · 憑票付國幣伍圓 (payable in five yuan national currency) · 中華民國十三年印 (Printed, ROC year 13 = 1924) · plus numerous circular chops in seal script (largely illegible)
Note: the front serial reads K885581 but appears distorted by chops; the reverse serials clearly read K885581 — I've used that as the definitive number.
Estimated Era:
Confirmed issue of 1924 (ROC year 13), Shanghai — the same horse-vignette type and date as the two previous notes, with a different serial number. The National Industrial Bank of China (中國實業銀行) was a Republican-era commercial bank; this American Bank Note Company–printed Five Yuan type is a documented 1924 issue. The managing director signature "H. C. Kung" refers to H. H. Kung (Kong Xiangxi), a prominent Republican-era financier and government official. The abundant chops and handstamps are period bank/merchant validation and cancellation marks accumulated during circulation. The extreme wear, splitting, and darkening are all consistent with genuine, prolonged period use.