China 5 Fen 1953 Serials

Now I've got to check mine !

Did you notice you have a radar number?

I've checked through other notes I have from the series including a few spares. It's a good job I hadn't sold any because I discovered another example. I just don't know how I haven't noticed this before.

The 2 fen of 1953; the one already in my collection has a small numeral block - the one I've just dug out has a large block and is a slightly different colour. I also have one of the first issues with a full serial number. Putting them together it's clear that the note with the small numeral block has such printed on the same scale as the note with the full serial number - plus they're both the same colour/tone. Presumably the small block note is of the first issues following the loss of the serial number, whereas the larger block in a slightly different colour was far more recent (they were only withdrawn in 2003).



The blocks/serials for comparison

I've got one of the 1 Fen notes with 3 numerals. They don't seem to turn up as often. There doesn't seem to be a numeral sizing variation with the 1 fen as there is with the other 2 notes - or I just don't have it.

I also noticed recently that there's two serial varieties on the 1980 jiao notes. The older ones are like this: HW-90327332 - the newer; C-8-R-4531954. I noticed when one turned up in a group. I read something online that they were changed in 2012. I didn't realise they were still issuing them!