Record folds, tears, stains and mould before naming condition
Give every 500-yuan Zhandecheng note its own identifier. Locate folds, tears, stains and mould in the condition field before turning any observation into a broad grade.
Keep the evidence fields distinct
Complete front and back views, four corners and every edge belong in imaging. Sleeves, album pages, seals and original order belong in provenance; do not merge them into one finding.
Confirm that the enclosure and note carry the same number. Leave a field blank when the paper cannot be seen safely.
Begin with dimensions and readable text
Enter the working title, visible inscriptions, principal designs, dimensions, packaging and current condition. Mark anything hidden by glare or a sleeve as pending.
Use broad, even transmitted light without a filter. A small or intense light source can conceal fibre and outline detail.
Protect paper, separate formats and retain traceability
Isolate mould, adhesion, tears and old tape while leaving them as found. Washing, ironing and damp wiping can change the Zhandecheng note irreversibly.
Place coupons, overseas currency, commemorative paper and uncut formats outside this First Series RMB entry, even when they arrived in one album.
Whole views, details, dimensions, sleeve and papers use the note number. A later photograph is added rather than substituted for the original.
Keep each note separate and state viewing limits
Group paper money by series, denomination and visible design. Keep the front, back, corner set, serial area, dimensions and transmitted-light image with the same note.
Photography can show print and obvious damage; paper composition, minute repair and sleeve-covered sections may still require direct review.
Separate treatment clues, serial interest and source history
Side light can distinguish water exposure, pressing, plugged holes, trimming, recolouring and replaced corners. Describe each location without forcing a single label.
A notable prefix or serial remains part of the corresponding edition. It cannot outweigh paper, ink, corners and evidence of restoration.
Add a named reference and consultation date to historical or production statements; inherited notes and online images remain leads.
Connect the complete note, dimensions and transmitted light
Start with uncropped front and back views plus all corners and edges. Add the dimensions with instrument and unit only after the image direction and note number are fixed.
Next record the sleeve, album position, seals and sequence, then transcribe the series, denomination, visible year wording and main design. Keep the original wording where a label differs.
Distinguish observation from later interpretation. A market name, provenance story or unresolved edition belongs in a separate dated field.
If photographs and dimensions conflict, repeat the same points without deleting the first result. State the precise question if examination in hand is needed.
Look at the complete 500-yuan Zhandecheng before assessing grade
Photograph the entire front and back before the four corners and each edge. State where a main fold crosses the design, where fibres lift and which section carries a stain; change the lighting angle if sleeve glare blocks detail.
Separate corners, edges and the central paper field
Name the corners upper left, upper right, lower left and lower right. Record tears, losses, tape or suspected trimming on the particular edge; reserve central folds, dents, mould and old stains for the paper field.
Two Zhandecheng notes require two complete records
When a pair is present, number them before photography. A central fold on one and a lower-right tear on the other must remain with their own full images, sleeves and labels.
If the First Series RMB 500-yuan Zhandecheng remains in an old album, box or sealed sleeve, document the obstruction and visible corners first. Do not force the enclosure for a photograph.
