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These Banknotes Were Issued By The Central Bank Of China Printed by American Banknote Company - Vertical Format Size - 3 13/32" Wide X 7 17/32" High These Gold Notes were used primarily for customs payments and used in general circulation by the Chinese people and the Flying Tigers. Previous to WW2 General Claire Chennault (retired) was hired by Chiang Kai-shek to help fight the Japanese invasion of China and to rid the Chinese skies of Japanese bombers and fighter aircraft. He was able to procure around 100 P40 War Hawks. He put together fighter squadrons and the personnel to run them. These men were Americans who volunteered and they became known as the AVG-American Volunteer Group. The pilots had the ground crews paint a fierce looking tiger mouth on the engine cooling scoop on the nose of the P40's. They shot down 286 of both Japanese bombers and fighter aircraft and they only lost 8 P-40's in aerial fights. The Flying Tiger pilots received a $500.00 bonus for every Japanese aircraft shot down.

They also stopped the invasion of central China by destroying major bridges on the Burma Road. They bombed and annihilated the invasion group who attempted to use the Burma Road for transportation of supplies, tanks, and troops. Click here for pictures and more on the Flying Tigers.

My first look at a Chinese Customs Gold Note was in the summer of 1947, a friend of my father's flew with the Flying Tigers. We went to his house for Sunday Dinner. After dinner and a few beers with my dad he got out his wartime scrapbook with a number of pictures of the AVG Group. Among others a couple of these vertically printed notes were kept in his scrapbook as souvenirs of his 2 year stay in China.

A short time ago I was able to locate a few of these Gold Units and some very interesting Bank of Hell Notes in crisp uncirculated condition and thought that a few WW2 collectors might enjoy having a short set of these historical Gold Notes.

Gold Units are printed on high quality paper by the American Banknote Company and as you know the American Banknote Company is known for it's quality notes.

The notes are available in single units or in Consecutive Numbered Sets and are also included in our large set of 34 Chinese notes. We only have a few of the large sets left, so if you are a China collector - order yours today.

The 1930 issue was printed into the 1940's & war years. During this time and during the Vietnam War and for many centuries there were also Hell Notes in use by the Chinese.

The best World War II book (price guide) is published by BNR Press, the title is World War II Remembered.

Click here to see an individual 10 Customs Gold Unit - 20 Customs Gold Unit & 50 Customs Gold Unit. Click here to purchase a set.

For more information please read Collecting Hell Notes & Billion Dollar Hell Note or information on China & their monetary system.

Click here to see Political Hell Notes - Traditional Hell Notes - Multicolored Hell Notes - Deluxe Hell Note Sets - China Proof Pandas - China Banknotes - Hell's Brothel Money - Free Hell Notes - Hell's Travel Kit - China Gold Unit Sets - China Consecutive Serial Number Banknote Sets - China Coinage - Chinese Coin Folios

Click here to go back to WSCE Front Page - Jim Says - Flying Tigers - U.S. Notes - World Paper Money or Lucky Million Dollar Bills.