500 New Taiwan Dollars Banknote (Chungshan Building Red)

500 Yuan Dollar (Issued 1911)

The founding of the Republic of China in 1912, following the Xinhai Revolution of 1911 that ended over two millennia of imperial rule, marks the political context from which this banknote’s origins draw their symbolic identity. Chiang Kai-shek, the nationalist leader who governed the Republic of China and later retreated with his government to Taiwan in 1949 following the Communist victory on the mainland, became the enduring face of Taiwan’s currency for much of the twentieth century. The New Taiwan Dollar series, issued under the authority of the Bank of Taiwan, carried forward the imagery of the Republic of China’s nationalist heritage long after the political landscape had been reshaped by civil war and partition. This 500 Yuan note stands as a material record of that era, its design saturated with the visual language of the Republic of China’s governmental institutions.

On the front, the dominant feature is a finely engraved portrait of Chiang Kai-shek positioned to the left of centre, rendered with exceptional intaglio detailing that captures the texture of his dark jacket, the precise contours of his close-cropped hair, and the subtle modelling of his face in a warm reddish-brown tone. He is depicted smiling slightly, in a characteristically composed and dignified manner, facing towards the viewer’s right. The overall colour scheme of the front face is a deep rose-red and warm brown, printed against a cream-coloured paper ground. At the upper centre of the note, Chinese characters read 中華民國, meaning “Republic of China”, establishing the issuing authority in clear vertical script. Beneath this, the denomination is stated in large, bold Chinese characters 伍佰圓, meaning “Five Hundred Yuan”, arranged prominently in the centre of the note. To the right of the portrait, a detailed guilloché rosette pattern provides an intricate geometric centrepiece, its concentric latticework rendered in fine line engraving that serves as a foundation for anti-counterfeiting complexity. The issuing bank’s name, 臺灣銀行, meaning “Bank of Taiwan”, appears in Chinese characters beneath the central denomination text. The serial number LU536459JK is printed twice in dark ink, appearing at the lower left and lower right of the note, in a clean serif typeface. The numeral “500” appears in the upper left and lower right corners in Western Arabic numerals, providing denomination reference across both numbering systems. The borders of the note are framed with ornate decorative panels incorporating floral and scroll motifs, consistent with the classical engraving traditions applied across the New Taiwan Dollar series. A small red seal box is visible near the denomination text, adding an additional security and authentication element. At the very bottom of the note, small Chinese text references the printing authority.

The reverse of the note is dominated by a detailed architectural vignette rendered in the same deep reddish-brown and warm rose palette as the front. The central image depicts a grand, formal government building rendered in careful intaglio engraving, identifiable as the Presidential Office Building in Taipei, a structure of imposing classical design featuring a prominent central tower, symmetrical wings extending to either side, and a wide forecourt with steps and decorative trees flanking the approach. The building is reproduced with great engraving precision, with fine hatching conveying depth, shadow, and architectural detail across the façade. This central vignette is surrounded by an oval frame of guilloché patterning, which itself is set within the broader decorative border of the note. The denomination 伍佰圓 appears again in Chinese characters at the lower right corner, and the numeral “500” is repeated at the upper right and lower left in Arabic numerals. The upper left corner of the reverse carries a blank white oval space, which functions as the watermark zone and would, when held to light, reveal a watermark portrait consistent with the security specification of the series. Chinese text running along the lower centre of the reverse references the Republic of China year of issue, reading 中華民國七十年代, consistent with the dating conventions of the Republic of China calendar. The overall design of the reverse is unified by the warm monochromatic colour palette, the dense ornamental border work, and the commanding presence of the architectural centrepiece.

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• Indicate the quantity of 500 Yuan Dollar banknotes you want to exchange
• Click the ‘Add to your account’ button
• Your online account now shows the exchange value

Turn forgotten New Taiwan Dollars banknotes into money: Webuyallcurrency.com lets you exchange foreign coins and notes — even withdrawn ones — as part of one clear transaction, no specialist knowledge required.

Other New Taiwan Dollars you can exchange: 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 200, 1000, 2000.