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Auction: 23009 - World Banknotes
Lot: 56

Chartered Bank of India, Australia & China, China, Remainder 10 Dollars, Tientsin, handwritten 1 January 1917, Established on the 1st of June 1853, in the heart of London, United Kingdom, by the visionary Scottish businessman James Wilson, the Chartered Bank of India, Australia, and China played a pivotal role in international finance and trade. Its primary mission was to support British businesses and traders in India, Australia, and China, leading to the establishment of branches in key cities such as Calcutta, Bombay, Sydney, Melbourne, and Hong Kong.
As British colonial influence extended across Asia, the bank expanded its network to cities like Singapore, Penang, Shanghai, Tientsin (now Tianjin), and beyond. A noteworthy contribution of the Chartered Bank was the introduction of standardized banknotes, like the one presented here. This innovation significantly enhanced trade efficiency and fostered the development of international banking networks.
Our featured banknote was issued for Tientsin, a major treaty port and economic hub that played a crucial role in China's engagement with the world during that era, contributing to modernization and foreign relations.
Despite facing challenges such as economic crises and World War I, the bank displayed remarkable resilience. Its legacy remains deeply embedded in the shaping of global commerce during the 19th and early 20th centuries, bridging cultures and continents.
Printed by W.W. Sprague & Co. in London, this remarkable remainder serves as a magnificent testament to the craftsmanship of its time. It features an intricate design enriched with vivid hues of black, pink, and purple. On the front, a harmonious blend of Chinese and English text reflects the bank's worldwide influence, complemented by an enchanting design featuring a lion rampant, a crowned coat of arms, and a unicorn rampant.
The reverse side showcases equally intricate engravings, including an elephant, a palm tree, a crown, a Chinese junk boat, and a sheep hanging from the boat's bow, all set amidst ornate patterns, intricate filigree, and elegant typography. The prominent display of the bank's name, "Chartered Bank of India, Australia, and China," reflects its extensive reach and international character, while the artistic motifs and symbols of prosperity on the reverse emphasize the bank's vital role in facilitating economic growth and stability.

(Pick S203r, BNB 6263), in PMG holder 35 Choice Very Fine, perforation cancelled, selvage included, stains, rare

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Sold for
£1,000

Starting price
£1000