CNY – Chinese Yuan
Monetary System
1 yuan = 10 jiao = 100 fen
1 dollar = 100 cents
1 catty = 16 tael = 160 mace
1 ryō = 10 sen = 100 bu
1 yen = 100 sen = 1,000 rin
2024 Commemorative Issues
This 20-yuan note is the first in a series commemorating the Chinese zodiac (rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig) that will be introduced over the course of 12 years. A total of 100 million notes will be issued at face value, with a limit of 20 notes per person.
Description: 20.00 CNY – Chinese Yuan Size: 70 x 145 mm
Orange, yellow, green, red, and black. Front (vertical): Chinese text; national emblem of the PRC; dragon; denomination in green SPARK Optical. Back (vertical): Mongolian, Tibetan, Uyghur, and Zhang text; three children performing dragon dance with traditional lanterns. No security thread. Watermark: None. Printer: (China Banknote Printing and Minting). 70 x 145 mm. Polymer.
2022 Commemorative Issues
Commemorating ice and snow sports of the XXIV Olympic Winter Games to be held from 4 to 20 February 2022 in Beijing, these two notes are sold in sets, with a limit of 10 per customer. A total of 200 million sets will be issued, of which 40,000 will be produced in a special presentation folder.
Description: 20.00 CNY – Chinese Yuan Size: 70 x 145 mm
Blue. Front (vertical): Chinese text; national emblem of the PRC; Beijing 2022 logo; woman and man figure skaters; mountain ranges; musical score in OVI. Back (vertical): Mongolian, Tbetan, Uyghur, and Zhang text; ice Cube” exterior of Beijing National Aquatics Center. No security thread. Watermark: None. Printer: (China Banknote Printing and Minting). 70 x 145 mm. Polymer.
Description: 20.00 CNY – Chinese Yuan Size: 70 x 145 mm
Blue. Front (vertical): Chinese text; national emblem of the PRC; freestyle skier mid-jump; Beijing 2022 logo. Back (vertical): Mongolian, Tibetan, Uyghur, and Zhang text; ski jumping venue in Beijing; Great Wall of China; snowflake in green OVI. Solid security thread with demetalized 20. Watermark: Bing Dwen Dwen. Printer: (China Banknote Printing and Minting). 70 x 145 mm. Paper.
2015 – 2020 Enhanced Mao Issues
On 12 November 2015, the People’s Bank of China introduced a new 100-yuan note which is like B4114, but with new date, and enhanced anti-counterfeiting features, including purple-to-green windowed security thread with demetalized 100, denomination as registration device, denomination in SPARK, additional Omron rings, and vertical serial number in blue at right front.On 30 August 2019 were introduced new notes like the preceding issues (except the 5-yuan note), but with redrawn vignettes, new date (2019), and enhanced anti-counterfeiting features including denomination as registration device and additional Omron rings on all denominations, as well as windowed security threads, denomination in SPARK, and vertical serial numbers at right front on all but the 1-yuan note.
Description: 1.00 CNY – Chinese Yuan Size: 130×63 mm
Green, yellow, violet, and light blue. Front: Chinese text; national emblem of the PRC; orchid flowers; Mao Zedong. Back: Mongolian, Tibetan, Uyghur and Zhang text; Three Ponds Mirroring the Moon on West Lake, in Hangzhou. No security thread. Watermark: Orchid and electrotype 1. Printer: (China Banknote Printing and Minting). 130 x 63 mm. Paper.
Description: 10.00 CNY – Chinese Yuan Size: 140 x 70 mm
Blue, pink, yellow, green, and orange. Front: Chinese text; circular registration device; national emblem of the PRC; rose flower; denomination in SPARK; Mao Zedong. Back: English, Mongolian, Tibetan, Uyghur and Zhang text; Yangtze River flowing through Three Gorges’ Kuimen (Kui Gate or Qutang Pass). Purple-to-green windowed security thread with demetalized ¥10. Watermark: Rose and electrotype 10. Printer: (China Banknote Printing and Minting). 140 x 70 mm. Paper.
Description: 20.00 CNY – Chinese Yuan Size: 145 x 70 mm
Brown, purple, violet, green, and orange. Front: Chinese text; circular registration device; national emblem of the PRC; lotus flower; denomination in SPARK; Mao Zedong. Back: Mongolian, Tibetan, Uyghur and Zhang text; boater on Li River in Guilin, Guangxi province. Purple-to-green windowed security thread with demetalized ¥20. Watermark: Lotus and electrotype 20. Printer: (China Banknote Printing and Minting). 145 x 70 mm.
Description: 50.00 CNY – Chinese Yuan Size: 150 x 70 mm
Green, violet, and purple. Front: Chinese text; denomination in OVI; national emblem of the PRC; chrysanthemum flower; denomination in SPARK; Mao Zedong. Back: English, Mongolian, Tibetan, Uyghur and Zhang text; Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region. Windowed security thread with ¥50. Watermark: Mao Zedong and electrotype 50. Printer: (China Banknote Printing and Minting). 150 x 70 mm. Paper.
Description: 100.00 CNY – Chinese Yuan Size: 155 x 77 mm
Red, orange, yellow, blue, and green. Front: Chinese text; denomination as registration device; national emblem of the PRC; orchid flowers; denomination in SPARK; Mao Zedong. Back: Mongolian, Tibetan, Uyghur and Zhang text; Greek columns; Great Hall of the People, Tiananmen Square in Beijing. Solid security thread with demetalized 100. Purple-to-green windowed security thread with demetalized ¥100. Watermark: Mao Zedong and electrotype 100. Printer: (China Banknote Printing and Minting). 155 x 77 mm. Paper.
2018 Commemorative Issues
This note commemorates the 70th anniversary of the issuance of the renminbi (RMB). A total of 120 million of these notes were issued.
Description: 50.00 CNY – Chinese Yuan Size: 150 x 70 mm
Yellow, red, and green. Front: Chinese text; national emblem of the PRC; denomination in SPARK; tree growth rings representing development of the five series of RMB banknotes. Back: Mongolian, Tibetan, Uyghur and Zhang text; People’s Bank of China headquarters buildings; peony flower; 1948 newspaper article announcing issuance of RMB; city skyline. Solid security thread with demetalized 50. Purple-to-green windowed security thread with demetalized ¥50. Watermark: Great Wall of China and electrotype 50. Printer: (China Banknote Printing and Minting). 150 x 70 mm. Paper.
2015 Commemorative Issues
This note commemorates Aerospace Science and Technology.
Description: 100.00 CNY – Chinese Yuan Size: 155 x 77 mm
Blue, purple, and green. Front: Chinese text; national emblem of the PRC; Dongfanghong I satellite in SPARK; Shenzhou 9 manned spacecraft rendezvous and docking with Tiangong-1 space station; Chang’e 1 lunar-orbiting spacecraft; denomination as registration device. Back (vertical): Mongolian, Tibetan, Uyghur and Zhang text; advancement of flight (bird, Fung Joe Guey biplane, twin-engine jet airliner, Shenzhou 9 and Tiangong-1, Chang’e 1). Windowed security thread with printed * 100 *. Watermark: Dongfanghong I satellite and electrotype 100. Printer: (China Banknote Printing and Minting). 155 x 77 mm. Paper.
2008 Commemorative Issues
A total of 6 million of these notes were issued to commemorate the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Description: 10.00 CNY – Chinese Yuan Size: 143 x 71.5 mm
Green, blue, and red. Front: Chinese text; denomination in SPARK; discus thrower holographic patch; Beijing Olympic Stadium (Bird’s Nest); Beijing Olympics emblem; national emblem of the PRC. Back: Mongolian, Tibetan, Uyghur and Zhang text; classical Greek statue of naked man throwing discus; athletes competing in foot race, table tennis, high jump, gymnastics, and soccer. Holographic windowed security thread with Beijing 2008 / 10. Watermark: Unknown. Printer: (China Banknote Printing and Minting). 143 x 71.5 mm. Paper.
2000 Commemorative Issues
This note was issued to commemorate the new millennium.
Description: 100.00 CNY – Chinese Yuan Size: 165 x 80 mm
Orange, red, and green. Front: Chinese text; Temple of Heaven in Beijing, Roaring Dragon from Nine Dragon Screen in Beihai Park, Beijing; red lantern holographic patch. Back: Mongolian, Tibetan, Uyghur and Zhang text; flying apsaras from frescoes of the Dunhuang Caves; China Millennium Monument in Beijing; national emblem of the PRC. No security thread. Watermark (shadow image): 2000. Printer: (China Banknote Printing and Minting). 165 x 80 mm. Polymer.
1999 – 2005 Mao Issues
These notes are like the preceding issues, but with Omron rings added for improved security, and the currency spelled out in roman letters on the back.
Description: 1.00 CNY – Chinese Yuan Size: 130 x 63 mm
Green, yellow, violet, and light blue. Front: Chinese text; national emblem of the PRC; orchid flowers; Mao Zedong. Back: Mongolian, Tibetan, Uyghur and Zhang text; Three Ponds Mirroring the Moon on West Lake, in Hangzhou. No security thread. Watermark: Orchid and electrotype 1. Printer: (China Banknote Printing and Minting). 130 x 63 mm. Paper
Description: 5.00 CNY – Chinese Yuan Size: 135 x 63 mm
Purple, blue, green, yellow, and pink. Front: Chinese text; national emblem of the PRC; narcissi flower; Mao Zedong. Back: Mongolian, Tibetan, Uyghur and Zhang text; Tai Shan (or Mountain Tai) in Tai’an city, Shandong Province. Windowed security thread. Watermark: Narcissus and electrotype 5. Printer: (China Banknote Printing and Minting). 135 x 63 mm. Paper.
Description: 10.00 CNY – Chinese Yuan Size: 140 x 70 mm
Blue, pink, yellow, green, and orange. Front: Chinese text; circular registration device; national emblem of the PRC; rose flower; Mao Zedong. Back: Mongolian, Tibetan, Uyghur and Zhang text; Yangtze River flowing through Three Gorges’ Kuimen (Kui Gate or Qutang Pass). Windowed security thread. Watermark: Rose and electrotype 10. Printer: (China Banknote Printing and Minting). 140 x 70 mm. Paper.
Description: 20.00 CNY – Chinese Yuan Size: 145 x 70 mm
Brown, purple, violet, green, and orange. Front: Chinese text; circular registration device; national emblem of the PRC; lotus flower; Mao Zedong. Back: Mongolian, Tibetan, Uyghur and Zhang text; boater on Li River in Guilin, Guangxi province. Windowed security thread. Watermark: Lotus and electrotype 20. Printer: (China Banknote Printing and Minting). 145 x 70 mm. Paper.
Description: 50.00 CNY – Chinese Yuan Size: 150 x 70 mm
Green, violet, and purple. Front: Chinese text; denomination in OVI; national emblem of the PRC; chrysanthemum flower; Mao Zedong. Back: Mongolian, Tibetan, Uyghur and Zhang text; Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region. Windowed security thread with ¥50. Watermark: Mao Zedong and electrotype 50. Printer: (China Banknote Printing and Minting). 150 x 70 mm. Paper.
Description: 100.00 CNY – Chinese Yuan Size: 155 x 77 mm
Red, orange, yellow, blue, and green. Front: Chinese text; denomination in OVI; national emblem of the PRC; orchid flowers; Mao Zedong. Back: Mongolian, Tibetan, Uyghur and Zhang text; Greek columns; Great Hall of the People, Tiananmen Square in Beijing. Windowed security thread with printed ¥100. Watermark: Mao Zedong and electrotype 100. Printer: (China Banknote Printing and Minting). 155 x 77 mm. Paper.
1999 Mao Issues
These notes feature a common portrait of Mao Zedong at right front and different geographical or architectural scenes on back.
Description: 5.00 CNY – Chinese Yuan Size: 135 x 63 mm
Purple, blue, red, green, and yellow. Front: Chinese text; national emblem of the PRC; narcissi flower; Mao Zedong. Back: Mongolian, Tibetan, Uyghur and Zhang text; sunrise and clouds over Tai Shan (or Mountain Tai) in Tai’an city, Shandong province. Windowed security thread. Watermark: Narcissus and electrotype 5. Printer: (China Banknote Printing and Minting). 135 x 63 mm. Paper.
Description: 10.00 CNY – Chinese Yuan Size: 140 x 70 mm
Blue, pink, yellow, green, and orange. Front: Chinese text; national emblem of the PRC; rose flower; Mao Zedong. Back: Mongolian, Tibetan, Uyghur and Zhang text; Yangtze River flowing through Three Gorges’ Kuimen (Kui Gate or Qutang Pass). Windowed security thread. Watermark: Rose and electrotype 10. Printer: (China Banknote Printing and Minting). 140 x 70 mm. Paper.
Description: 20.00 CNY – Chinese Yuan Size: 145 x 70 mm
Brown, purple, violet, green, and orange. Front: Chinese text; national emblem of the PRC; lotus flower; Mao Zedong. Back: Mongolian, Tibetan, Uyghur and Zhang text; boater on Li River in Guilin, Guangxi province. Windowed security thread. Watermark: Lotus. Printer: (China Banknote Printing and Minting). 145 x 70 mm. Paper.
Description: 50.00 CNY – Chinese Yuan Size: 150 x 70 mm
Green, violet, and purple. Front: Chinese text; national emblem of the PRC; chrysanthemum flower; Mao Zedong. Back: Mongolian, Tibetan, Uyghur and Zhang text; Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region. Solid security thread with demetalized 50 RMB. Watermark: Mao Zedong. Printer: (China Banknote Printing and Minting). 150 x 70 mm. Paper.
Description: 100.00 CNY – Chinese Yuan Size: 155 x 77 mm
Red, orange, yellow, blue, and green. Front: Chinese text; national emblem of the PRC; orchid flower; Mao Zedong. Back: Mongolian, Tibetan, Uyghur and Zhang text; Greek columns; Great Hall of the People, Tiananmen Square in Beijing. Solid security thread with demetalized 100 RMB. Watermark: Mao Zedong. Printer: (China Banknote Printing and Minting). 155 x 77 mm. Paper.
1999 Commemorative Issues
The People’s Bank of China issued 60 million notes to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China on 1 October 1949. China Great Wall Coins Investments Limited, a private firm based in Hong Kong, packaged 50,000 of these notes in folders with Macau B203c notes with matching last five digits of the serial number. Be aware that this is not an official issue and is therefore not cataloged.
Description: 50.00 CNY – Chinese Yuan Size: 165 x 80 mm
Red and turquoise. Front: Chinese text; Mao Zedong proclaiming founding of PRC from Meridian Gate (southern entrance to the Forbidden City) and looking out over Tiananmen Square in Beijing on 1 October 1949; stylized bird as registration device. Back: Mongolian, Tibetan, Uyghur and Zhang text; stylized bird; national emblem of the PRC; foo dog (shishi); doves flying over earth; ornamental column. Windowed security thread with demetalized 50. Watermark: Tiananmen Square. Printer: (China Banknote Printing and Minting). 165 x 80 mm. Paper.
Extras
Front / Back Designations
Many Chinese banknotes are multilingual, with Chinese text predominant on one side and foreign text on the other side. For national, military, and regional issues, we consider the side of the note with the Chinese text to be the front, whereas for foreign bank issues, the side with the foreign text is considered the front, regardless of which side bears the dates, signatures, or serial numbers.
Forgeries
Be aware that many earlier China banknotes offered for sale are forgeries. Such is the extent of counterfeiting that some third-party grading services refuse to accept these notes or charge supplementary fees for authentication.
Translations
Modern Chinese may be written left to right, or top to bottom. Until relatively recently, however, the Chinese written on banknotes was mostly written right to left, or top to bottom. In this page all descriptions replicate the text as it appears on the note, with vertical text (top to bottom) reproduced horizontally (left to right). On some banknotes, the printer imprint, and/or the date, may contain extra characters (at the extreme left or right) that translate as printed by, issued in, manufactured by, etc. For brevity’s sake, these extra characters are ignored in the note descriptions and in their corresponding English translations.
