1939 China 1 Sen Banknote – Japanese Military Occupation (Pick# M7) A scarce WWII-era note issued by Japan’s puppet regime in China, featuring imperial iconography and stylized design.
Historical Context
The 1939 1 Sen note (Pick# M7) was issued under the Provisional Government of the Republic of China, a Japanese puppet state established during Japan’s occupation of northern China. As part of Japan’s broader effort to control East Asia economically and politically, this currency was introduced to replace Chinese yuan with Japanese-style yen denominations. These notes were circulated in occupied territories and reflected Japan’s imperial ambitions and propaganda.
The 1 Sen denomination was among the smallest in the series, intended for daily transactions in a tightly controlled economy. Though officially backed by the Japanese Imperial Government, the currency suffered from limited acceptance and inflation, especially as the war progressed.
Design Features
Obverse: Printed in brown ink over a blue-gray underprint, the note features a stylized dragon on the right—a symbol of imperial power—and a red seal on the left. The inscriptions are in classical Chinese script, including “大日本帝國政府” (Government of the Empire of Japan) and “壹銭” (One Sen), with production credited to the Printing Bureau of the Empire of Japan.
Reverse: Unprinted (uniface), consistent with low-denomination wartime notes to minimize production costs.
Color Scheme: Brown on blue-gray, with traditional East Asian motifs and no Western design elements.
Specifications and Corner Data
Feature Description
Pick Number P-M7
Denomination 1 Sen
Issuing Authority Japanese Imperial Government (via puppet regime)
Year of Issue 1939
Material Paper
Size Approx. 94 × 44 mm
Printer Printing Bureau of the Empire of Japan
Watermark None
Security Features None
Reverse Blank
Languages Used Classical Chinese
Collector Appeal
This note is ideal for:
WWII and Sino-Japanese War collectors
Historians of East Asian occupation currencies
Exhibits on wartime propaganda, imperial symbolism, and economic control
Its distinctive dragon motif and historical significance make it a compelling artifact from Japan’s wartime expansion into China. Let me know if you’d like a comparison with other Japanese Invasion Money notes or help identifying variants.
