Recently, Chengdu Jiaozi Financial Museum has unveiled more than 80 valuable new exhibits, including the Great Ming circulating treasure note, the specimen banknotes of the first series of the Chinese currency renminbi, and the currency issued by Sichuan-Shaanxi Soviet Government Workers and Farmers Bank. Additionally, the museum has launched new cultural and creative products.

 

 

Great Ming Circulating Treasure Note

 

 

 

As the biggest known banknote in the world, the note measures approximately 34 cm × 22 cm, larger than an A4 sheet. It was issued in the eighth year of Emperor Hongwu’s reign during the Ming Dynasty, available in six denominations. The designation of one guan (ancient Chinese currency unit) as equivalent to one tael of silver and four guan as equivalent to one tael of gold and the stipulated preferential use of banknotes in transactions of 100 wen (ancient Chinese currency unit) or more established a standardized exchange system linking banknotes with gold, silver, and copper coinage.

 

 

Specimen Banknotes of the First Series of Renminbi

 

 

 

The first series of renminbi, the ancestor of all subsequent renminbi, was issued in 1948. Its specimen banknotes were provided for financial institutions as references for printing and anti-counterfeit purposes. As they were never circulated in the market, surviving examples are extremely rare. They preserve a complete record of the design and anti-counterfeit techniques from the early formative stage of the People’s Republic of China’s currency system and serve as precious physical evidence for the history of renminbi development.

 

 

Currency Issued by Sichuan-Shaanxi Soviet Government Workers and Farmers Bank

 

 

 

Notably, the newly added collection includes the currency issued by Sichuan-Shaanxi Soviet Government Workers and Farmers Bank. The uniquely Sichuan-style currency bears witness to the revolutionary history of financial self-reliance in revolutionary bases.

 

 

New Cultural and Creative Products

 

 

The museum’s cultural and creative zone has been completely refreshed alongside new exhibits.

 

 

Fragrance of Paper and Ink

 

 

 

Inspired by the paper and ink of jiaozi, the gift box brings together selected essential oils, a book-shaped lamp, and a fragrance plaque.

 

 

Jiaozi Photo Frame

 

 

 

Tracing the millennium-long evolution of jiaozi, the product distills the essence of paper currency into a refined, compact frame.

 

The cultural and creative zone invites visitors to explore a range of exquisite new products, including the Brush Blossom gift box, themed bookmark collections, and Fragrance of Jiaozi gift box.

 

 

Chengdu Jiaozi Financial Museum

 

 

 

As China’s first specialized financial museum with jiaozi as its core theme, the museum features multiple thematic exhibition halls that systematically chronicle the birth of jiaozi, the world’s first banknote, in Chengdu during the Northern Song Dynasty. It regularly offers financial knowledge lessons and research-oriented lectures to the public. The newly added exhibits will be on long-term public display.

 

Admission: free

Opening hours: 09:00-17:00 from Tuesday to Sunday. Closed on Mondays (except for statutory holidays).

Address: inside Jiaozi Park, 2nd Jinyun East Alley, Chengdu

 

Edited by Zhang Yuanlin

Source: Home in Chengdu