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| China Specie Bank, Ltd. 5 dollar note dated October 1922. In all probability this bank was planned but, for some reason, never was opened. |
Banknotes of Foreign Banks in China - 5 Dollars 1922 China Specie Bank Limited
Obverse with array of five cash coins at lower center with multicolored guilloche at left and right.
Reverse: Scene containing a steam train with livestock in the foreground and windmills in the background.
Printer: ABNC - American Bank Note Company, New York.
Notes were issued in amounts of 1, 5, 10, 50 and 100 dollars “local currency”. No amount of research has ever revealed its otherwise existence. My guess is that this was a United States or British venture organized to capitalize upon Chinese and Western trade opportunities in the 1920s. In all probability it was founded in the United States, as the proof notes that exist were the product of the American Bank Note Company. These proof notes indicate that an office in Shanghai was at least contemplated. In all probability thecompany never opened for business.
China Specie Bank notes are very attractive. The obverse of the note shows fantasy Chinese silver dollars with the four characters “Chung Hua Kuo Pao” (China - one dollar) on their face. The one dollar note containing a single dollar, the 5 dollar note, five silver dollars, and so on. The reverse of the notes display a scene containing a steam train with livestock in the foreground and windmills in the background.