5 Chinese Yuan Foreign Exchange Certificate (1979)

The 5 Chinese Yuan Foreign Exchange Certificate, first issued in 1979, was part of a special series created by the Bank of China to facilitate foreign currency usage within the People’s Republic of China. These certificates were not standard Renminbi notes and were primarily issued to foreign visitors, diplomats, and overseas Chinese during a period when China tightly controlled domestic currency circulation.

Foreign Exchange Certificates (FECs) operated alongside the Renminbi but were legally restricted to designated hotels, shops, and locations approved for foreign use. While denominated in yuan and equivalent in face value, they were not intended for general circulation and were legally distinct from standard Chinese banknotes.

The obverse of the 5 Yuan certificate features a finely engraved scenic landscape, incorporating traditional Chinese artistic elements and ornate border designs typical of late-1970s currency printing. The denomination is clearly displayed in both Chinese characters and Arabic numerals, alongside official seals and serial numbering issued by the Bank of China.

The reverse of the certificate is printed in English and states its function explicitly as a Foreign Exchange Certificate, explaining that the yuan expressed is equivalent in value to Renminbi yuan, but that the certificate may only be used within China at designated locations. This bilingual presentation reflects the certificate’s intended audience and international purpose.

Foreign Exchange Certificates were gradually phased out during the 1990s as China modernised its monetary system and unified domestic and foreign currency usage. Today, 1979-era FECs are withdrawn and no longer valid for circulation, but they remain of interest to collectors and are commonly presented for exchange through specialist services.

• Indicate the quantity of 5 Chinese Yuan Foreign Exchange Certificates you want to exchange

• Click the ‘Add to your account’ button

• Your online account now shows the exchange value

We provide a secure UK-based service for exchanging withdrawn and non-circulating Chinese currency, including Foreign Exchange Certificates. Many banks no longer accept these notes because they are specialist and no longer in circulation, but we regularly handle legacy Chinese issues for individuals, charities, and businesses.

For higher-value or uncommon notes, additional verification may be required as part of standard authenticity checks. This can result in longer processing times, particularly for older or less frequently encountered certificates.