China, Asia & Worldwide Coins and Currency

The Imperial Bank of China: 1898 (Kwang Hsu Year 24) Peking 5 Taels, serial no.: 13455. The Imperial Bank was the first bank established by Chinese. It was issued banknotes since 1898, this note is a relatively high denomination which was kept in wonderful condition. Despite of cleaning and with minor repairs at top margin, it still in Good VF condition. After reinforcement, it seems to be XF to Good XF. Even in Good VF condition, it is the best one known among the other 5 taels. A wonderful piece.
光绪二十四年中國通商銀行京城平足银5兩流通票。中国通商银行是中国人创办的第一所银行，于光绪24年（1898年）发行纸币，分银元票和银两票，并分京城，上海和广东等地名。京城银两票有5钱，1两，5两，10两，50两和100两等6种面额，市场上多见为样票，流通票以5钱和1两两种低面额者较为常见，5两流通票极罕见，而且所见者一般品相只有六七成，此枚5两流通票品相近九成新，惟曾下过水，上纸边也有轻微小修补，品相加强后看起来能达到九五品。虽有此瑕疵，但近九成新已经是此票所知的最好品相了，底纹图案和龙纹十分清晰，颜色也十分鲜艳，是不可多得的好品种和好品相。