The Top 10 Chinese Banknotes According to the PMG Population Report

Chinese banknotes have become very popular during the last few years. This article will showcase the top 10 most collected Chinese banknotes (based off of the PMG population report). If you are new to collecting Chinese paper money or a seasoned veteran, these are notes that you should be aware of. Want to look through the population report on your own? Look no further here is a link. In order to view the population report you have to be a member. Don’t worry becoming a member is easy and free.

This list was complied on July 28, 2016. It is comprised of the top 10 most graded Chinese banknotes. These totals change, and in some cases often and to a large degree. All numbers seen are for the exact issued note only – replacement and/or sheets (of any kind) are not included in this tally. Behold in all its glory, the 10 most collected Chinese banknotes.

10. China Pick 902 - 5,782 Notes Graded

China / Peoples Republic, Pick# 902, 2000 100 Yüan, "Commemorative" PMG Graded 69 Gem Uncirculated EPQ, front Click image to enlarge.

China / Peoples Republic, Pick# 902, 2000 100 Yüan, "Commemorative" PMG Graded 69 Gem Uncirculated EPQ, back Click image to enlarge.

This commemorative made a huge impact on the hobby when it was released in 2000 to celebrate the new millennium. With vibrant red and orange hues, this “dragon” note has great eye appeal. Even sixteen years later this note is still very popular. Interested in a further breakdown of this note? Then you will need to see this link.

9. China Pick 876a1 - 6,269 Notes Graded

China / Peoples Republic, Pick# 876a1, 1960 5 Yüan - Dark Black, Prefix 3 Roman Numerals PMG Graded 70 Gem Uncirculated EPQ, front Click image to enlarge.

China / Peoples Republic, Pick# 876a1, 1960 5 Yüan - Dark Black, Prefix 3 Roman Numerals PMG Graded 70 Gem Uncirculated EPQ, back Click image to enlarge.

The second largest denomination of the third series comes in at number nine. It is the first of four notes that came from the third series that made this list. The front depicts a foundry worker in dark black and construction equipment, which is also in dark black. While the dark black variety isn’t in the Pick catalog, PMG likes to distinguish varieties for the top echelon of notes. This is no exception. In case you were curious, the ‘b’ variety with three Roman numerals and with light black, clocks in at a hair over 4,000 notes. Not too shabby!

8. China Pick 875a2 - 6,588 Notes Graded

China / Peoples Republic, Pick# 875a2, 1960 2 Yüan, Prefix 3 Roman Numerals PMG Graded 69 Superb Gem Uncirculated EPQ, front Click image to enlarge.

China / Peoples Republic, Pick# 875a2, 1960 2 Yüan, Prefix 3 Roman Numerals PMG Graded 69 Superb Gem Uncirculated EPQ, back Click image to enlarge.

The eighth most collected Chinese banknote also comes from the third series; a 2 Yüan with the ‘stars’ water mark. This note uses many variants of green to bring a peaceful tone. On the front is a craftsmen working a lathe, and on the back there is a grouping of oil derricks.

7. China Pick 907 - 7,315 Notes Graded

China / Peoples Republic, Pick# 907, 2005 100 Yüan, Solid #1's PMG Graded 69 Superb Gem Uncirculated EPQ, front Click image to enlarge.

China / Peoples Republic, Pick# 907, 2005 100 Yüan, Solid #1's PMG Graded 69 Superb Gem Uncirculated EPQ, back Click image to enlarge.

This perfectly vibrant 100 Yüan is the second primarily red note to feature Chairmen Mao. The first red 100 Yüan was issued in 1999. Several notable changes occurred between the two issues. The first is this note only has one serial number (the 1999, Pick 901, had two - one in black and the other in blue). The second change was the addition of omron rings covering the top portion of the watermark area. Lastly, the smallest change is the Chairman’s button is different in both issues.

6. China Pick 877f - 7,992 Notes Graded

China / Peoples Republic, Pick# 877f, 1962 1 Jiao PMG Graded 69 Superb Gem Uncirculated EPQ, front Click image to enlarge.

China / Peoples Republic, Pick# 877f, 1962 1 Jiao PMG Graded 69 Superb Gem Uncirculated EPQ, back Click image to enlarge.

A great article that discusses the nine different varieties can be found here. This note is another example of different varieties then what Pick has to offer. This note can be found in many different forms. Obviously this is the most collected note, while the least collected, but most sought after is 877b. This 1 Jiao is the third note on this list from the third series. It is also the lowest denomination.

5. China Pick 884a - 8,538 Notes Graded

China / Peoples Republic, Pick# 884a, 1980 1 Yüan PMG Graded 69 Superb Gem Uncirculated EPQ, front Click image to enlarge.

China / Peoples Republic, Pick# 884a, 1980 1 Yüan PMG Graded 69 Superb Gem Uncirculated EPQ, back Click image to enlarge.

A wonderfully balanced note which was first issued during the fourth series is a 1980 1 Yüan. On the front is Dong and Yao ethnic group members, and on the back is The Great Wall of China, which is a member of the New 7 Wonders of the World. A truly remarkable sight to be seen.

4. China Pick 891 - 9,084 Notes Graded

China, Pick# 891, 1999 50 Yüan, "50th Anniversary Commemorative" PMG Graded 69 Superb Gem Uncirculated EPQ, front Click image to enlarge.

China, Pick# 891, 1999 50 Yüan, "50th Anniversary Commemorative" PMG Graded 69 Superb Gem Uncirculated EPQ, back Click image to enlarge.

The second commemorative enters in at number 4. It features Chairman Mao reading “China Resurrected” on 01-10-1949 in Tiananmen, Peking. The note marks the 50th anniversary of the revolution. This 50 Yüan is an exceptional note that uses the color red in the most perfect way without being overpowering.

3. China Pick 872 - 10,520 Notes Graded

China / Peoples Republic, Pick# 872, 1956 5 Yüan PMG Graded 68 Superb Gem Uncirculated EPQ, front Click image to enlarge.

China / Peoples Republic, Pick# 872, 1956 5 Yüan PMG Graded 68 Superb Gem Uncirculated EPQ, back Click image to enlarge.

The oldest note on this list is the 5 Yüan from 1956 from the first series. It is the largest denomination from its series and still highly sought after. There are two varieties to this note – with an open star watermark, and with stars and wings watermark. The latter watermark has only been graded 458 times.

2. China Pick 910 - 13,027 Notes Graded

China, Pick# 910, 2015 100 Yüan, "Aerospace Commemorative" PMG Graded 68 Superb Gem Uncirculated EPQ, front Click image to enlarge.

China, Pick# 910, 2015 100 Yüan, "Aerospace Commemorative" PMG Graded 68 Superb Gem Uncirculated EPQ, back Click image to enlarge.

Even though this note isn’t even two years old, it managed to climb its way up to the number two spot on our countdown. With very unique satellite designs, the final commemorative on our list celebrates China’s first Aerospace Day. This was a way to announce future space explorations as well as honor China’s pioneers of space travel. To learn a more about this note, please read this.

1. China Pick 874b - 27,230 Notes Graded

China, Peoples Bank of China, Pick# 874b, 1960 1 Yüan, Prefix 3 Roman Numerals PMG Graded 68 Superb Gem Uncirculated EPQ, front Click image to enlarge.

China, Peoples Bank of China, Pick# 874b, 1960 1 Yüan, Prefix 3 Roman Numerals PMG Graded 68 Superb Gem Uncirculated EPQ, back Click image to enlarge.

The crème de la crème of Chinese banknote collecting is also the fourth note to hail from the third series. A beautiful 1960 1 Yüan showcasing China’s first female tractor driver Liang Jun. To learn more about Liang Jun’s story, click here. Twenty-seven thousand notes is no small task. There has been more than double the amount of notes graded for this note than from the second highest note on this list. Likewise, there are more of these notes then the total note graded from number 10, 9, 8, and 7 combined.

There you have it - the top 10 most collected Chinese banknotes according to the PMG population report. In total there are 102,345 notes spanning from 1956 through 2015. There were low denominations (1 Jiao) and large denominations (100 Yüan), polymer notes (Pick 902), and even three commemoratives (Pick 902, 891 and 910).