$12,000.00
Issuer: Farmers Bank of China (under the Government of the Republic of China)
Denomination & Year: ¥250,000 (Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Yuan), 1947 series
Reference: Rare Farmers’ Bond issue, large-denomination agricultural development loan
This 1947 Farmers Bond was issued by the Farmers Bank of China on behalf of the Nationalist Chinese government to raise funds for agricultural and rural-credit expansion during a period of severe economic stress. The bond represents one of the large-denomination instruments from the late Republican era and reflects both the government’s drive to modernize rural finance and the tumultuous inflationary environment of the time.
Obverse (Front): Features the name of the issuing bank in Chinese and English, the large denomination “250,000 Yuan”, traditional Chinese decorative border designs, and bilingual inscriptions.
Reverse (Back): May include vignettes of agricultural motifs such as ploughs, grain sheaves or rural scenes, symbolizing the intended use of funds for farming and rural infrastructure.
Size & Color: Typically printed on large-format bond paper, with rich coloring (often red or brown tones) and engraved details reflective of the era’s security printing.
Security Features: High-quality rag paper, intricate engraving patterns, serial numbers, embossed seals or bank chops, and bilingual text (Chinese and English).
Issuing Terms: Bearer form loan certificate, interest-bearing (terms vary by series), issued with formal signatures and bank seals.
Issued in 1947 by the Farmers Bank of China under the auspices of the Nationalist government, this bond was part of the broader effort to revive and modernize China’s rural economy in the aftermath of the Second Sino-Japanese War and during the Chinese Civil War. At the same time, the Chinese currency was experiencing extreme hyperinflation, eroding real value rapidly. The bond therefore captures a unique intersection of rural-finance ambition and monetary instability.
Rarity: Large-denomination agricultural bonds from China’s Republican era are uncommon, making this issue a standout for serious collectors of Chinese scripophily or agricultural finance instruments.
Historic Significance: The document embodies the story of rural credit, modernization efforts, and the economic struggles of China’s late-Republic period.
Aesthetic Value: With its bold denomination, rich engraving, bilingual layout and agricultural theme, the bond is visually striking and suitable for display.
Condition & Variant Factors: Important factors include the condition (uncancelled vs cancelled), legible original coupons (if attached), rarity of prefix/serial numbers, and presence of original seals. These variables significantly influence collectible value.
