Watch List notes:

World Currency
China Yokohama Specie Bank Limited 50 Taels 1.7.1902 Pick S734s Specimen PMG Gem Uncirculated 65 EPQ. An extremely rare Specimen example from the Yokohama Specie Bank rarely seen on the market, and the first we have handled. This high grade 50 Taels Specimen dated the 1st of July 1908 has beautiful repeating guilloche patterned borders, diagonal black "Specimen" and bold red Mi-hon overprints on both sides. The front of this note is highlighted by a vignette of the Yokohama Specie Bank Headquarters located in Yokohama Japan, which was established in 1880 and was truly the only Japanese bank to circulate its own notes throughout China to meet the demands of international trade. Expanding into Shanghai in 1893 after the defeat of China in the Sino-Japanese War of 1885, this bank grew rapidly opening several more branches throughout China. These branches were small and well managed and primarily served the Japanese population as the Chinese rejected them due to resentment. During the Japanese invasion of China in 1937 and during WWII, this bank was the sole issuer of military notes in China. After the surrender of Japan in 1945, the Yokohama Specie Bank was permanently shut down and most notes were redeemed. The Yokohama specie bank headquarters building is now the home of the Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of history, and the surviving branch buildings throughout China are also now historical sites. The back of this gorgeous, well preserved Specimen features two facing dragons with a well centered fireball seen above the bank name. The Tientsin branch name is framed and centered below the bank name along with the vertical bold 5 Taels denomination. Due to the tight management and near total redemption of all issued notes, this exquisite rarity will most likely command a high value. As only two examples are listed in the PMG population report, this may be the only opportunity to obtain such a beautifully preserved part of history. HID08701242017

Estimate: 15000-20000 USD