3 Chinese Yuan Banknote (1953)

The 3 Chinese Yuan banknote issued in 1953 forms part of the First Series of the Renminbi, introduced by the People’s Bank of China following the establishment of the People’s Republic of China. This series played a key role in stabilising the national currency and unifying China’s monetary system during the early 1950s. The 3 yuan denomination is particularly notable, as it represents a value no longer used in modern Chinese currency.

Printed using traditional intaglio techniques, the banknote reflects the design style of early Renminbi issues, with ornate borders, complex line work, and a strong emphasis on symmetry. The note is predominantly green in tone, with multilingual text reflecting China’s ethnic diversity during this period.

On the obverse, the banknote displays the national emblem of the People’s Republic of China at the top, surrounded by decorative scrollwork and denomination numerals. The value “3 Yuan” is shown in Chinese characters, with additional scripts included to support minority languages. The year 1953 is clearly printed, identifying it as part of the first Renminbi series.

The reverse features an engraved landscape scene showing a stone arch bridge set against a mountainous backdrop. This imagery symbolises infrastructure development, unity, and progress in the early years of the new republic. Red seals and serial numbers complete the design, providing both authenticity markers and visual balance.

Although the 3 yuan banknote was legal tender at the time of issue, it has long since been withdrawn from circulation and is no longer accepted for everyday use within China. Today, it is primarily encountered as a collectable or legacy banknote and is commonly found outside mainstream banking channels.

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We offer a secure UK-based service for exchanging withdrawn and legacy Chinese banknotes, including early Renminbi issues from the 1950s. Due to their age and collectable nature, older Chinese notes often require additional checks.

For higher-value or historic banknotes, valid identification may be required to comply with Anti-Money Laundering Regulations (AMLR).