1949 China 1000 Yuan PMG 64 & 65 EPQ Pair Pick 848s Front & Back Specimen c282

1949 China 1000 Yuan PMG 64 & 65 EPQ Pair Pick 848s Front & Back Specimen c282

This exceptional 1949 China People’s Republic 1000 Yuan Specimen pair represents one of the most historically significant and visually striking issues from the founding era of the People’s Bank of China. Cataloged as Pick #848s1 (Front Specimen) and Pick #848s2 (Back Specimen), this offering includes both sides produced as official specimen notes, an extremely scarce and highly collectible format intended for archival and reference use rather than circulation.

Issued during the final stages of China’s hyperinflationary period and the birth of the People’s Republic, this large-denomination note reflects the economic realities and ideological messaging of the time. The front specimen features powerful agricultural imagery with mechanized tractors working the fields, symbolizing collectivization, productivity, and modernization under the new socialist government. Bold red specimen overprints and zeroed serial numbers distinguish it clearly from issued circulation notes.

The back specimen displays an evocative rural scene centered on a draft animal in the field, reinforcing agrarian themes and the importance of labor. The detailed guilloché work, symmetrical layout, and large “1000” numerals exemplify the sophisticated engraving techniques used during this transitional monetary period. Together, the front and back specimens provide a complete and educational presentation of the design process behind one of early PRC China’s most important banknotes.

Both pieces are professionally authenticated and encapsulated by Paper Money Guaranty (PMG), with the front graded PMG 64 Choice Uncirculated and the back graded PMG 65 Gem Uncirculated with Exceptional Paper Quality (EPQ). The pair originates from The Peh Family Collection, a provenance recognized for housing some of the finest certified Chinese banknotes known to collectors.

Collector’s Value

Complete specimen pairs from early People’s Republic issues are rarely encountered, especially when certified, high-grade, and matched by serial number. This 1949 1000 Yuan specimen set offers exceptional appeal to collectors of Chinese currency, hyperinflation notes, and institutional specimens, making it a standout centerpiece for advanced world banknote collections.