1 Yi Jiao banknote China (Issued 1980 – 1996)

The 1 Yi Jiao banknote issued by the People’s Bank of China between 1980 and 1996 forms part of the fourth series of Renminbi currency. During this period, China introduced banknotes that reflected both cultural diversity and economic modernisation, while still maintaining strong traditional design elements. The Yi Jiao denomination represents one-tenth of a yuan and was widely used in everyday transactions across China throughout the late 20th century.

This banknote is printed in predominantly brown and tan tones and features intricate geometric patterns and fine line engraving, typical of Chinese banknote design from this era. Multilingual text appears on the note, reflecting China’s recognition of its diverse ethnic regions. While the banknote was legal tender at the time of issue, it has since been withdrawn from circulation and replaced by newer Renminbi series with updated security features.

On the obverse, the banknote displays portraits of two individuals in traditional ethnic dress, symbolising national unity and the representation of China’s minority cultures. The denomination and issuing authority, the People’s Bank of China, are clearly shown alongside ornamental borders and detailed background patterns designed to deter counterfeiting.

The reverse of the note continues the decorative theme with symmetrical designs, denomination markers, and formal inscriptions. Compared with modern Renminbi notes, this series lacks advanced security features such as colour-shifting ink and transparent windows, which contributes to its classification as a legacy design.

Although no longer accepted for circulation within China, 1 Yi Jiao banknotes from the 1980–1996 series remain of interest to collectors and are commonly encountered as withdrawn currency outside mainland China. Many banks no longer accept these older notes, but specialist exchange services can still process them.

• Indicate the quantity of 1 Yi Jiao banknotes you want to exchange

• Click the ‘Add to your account’ button

• Your online account now shows the exchange value

If you are looking to exchange older or withdrawn Chinese banknotes, we provide a secure UK-based service for legacy Renminbi currency. For higher-value or bulk submissions, additional checks may be required in line with Anti-Money Laundering Regulations, and rarer notes may take longer to process due to authenticity verification.