Bank of Taiwan
50 Dollars · Commemorative Polymer · 50.° Anniversary of the New Taiwan Dollar (1999)
Historical and Issue Context
Half a century of New Taiwan Dollar:This banknote was issued in 1999 to celebrate the 50° anniversary of the introduction of the New Taiwan Dollar, which replaced the old Taiwan Dollar in 1949 at a rate of 40,000 to 1 following a period of post-war hyperinflation.
An exception in the island's monetary history:unlike the regular paper series of the New Taiwan Dollar, this commemorative banknote was produced entirely in polymer, becoming the only plastic copy ever issued by Taiwan.
Key Details Visible on the Banknote
- Obverse:numismatic composition showing several floating historical Taiwanese banknotes, including specimens with the portrait of Sun Yat-sen; In the background, Taipei's modern infrastructure, including a railway bridge. The header says “中華民國” (Republic of China).
- Reverse:facade of the headquarters of the Central Bank of the Republic of China in Taipei; To the right, a modern high-speed train and subtle motifs of the island's historic agricultural industry.
- Translucent polymer window:circular opening at the upper right corner of the obverse with a golden holographic (OVD) patch of traditional motifs and numerical value.
- Iridescent Ink Stamp:reflective geometric rosette in the lower-left corner of the reverse that flashes metallic colors when the note is tilted.
- Dual Numbering:serial number in red ink at the upper right of the obverse, with an invisible-ink control code on the reverse that is readable only under ultraviolet light.
- Color:pink, violet, ocher and multicolored blue undertones.
Notes
Catalog reference Pick-1990, Standard Catalog of World Paper Money; the New Taiwan dollar replaced the old Taiwan dollar in June 1949 at a rate of 40,000 to 1, following postwar hyperinflation on the island.
