The 1951 First Series Renminbi 1,000 Yuan “Horses Drinking” takes its name from the vignette. It is not the 10,000 Yuan “Herding Horses” note: the denomination, design and type are different. Identification should bring together the value inscription, horses at water, reverse text, prefix, serial number and paper.

A date and denomination are only the starting point, because First Series notes may share years or values while carrying different designs. Both faces must support the Horses Drinking attribution; a cropped picture of the vignette is not enough.

Details to capture on the banknote

• Denomination and date: Photograph the 1,000 Yuan value, the 1951 date and every inscription around the border, not just the central scene.
• Horses Drinking vignette: Show the horses, water, ground and background lines. Neutral light should preserve ink density, registration and the true cut of the edges.
• Reverse inscription: Include the Uyghur bank name and denomination text together with the border. Add close views where characters are weak, repaired or possibly redrawn.
• Prefix and serial number: Photograph the full number in natural colour, with its typeface, alignment and surrounding paper visible. Do not retouch digits in images intended for assessment.

Paper condition and signs of repair

Circulation, folding and album storage leave different traces. First take full front-and-back views on a flat, non-reflective surface; then use soft raking light for the centre fold, edge splits, missing corners, pinholes, foxing, water staining and paper undulation. Suspected backing, patching, washing or pressing should be shown at matching positions on the front, back and, where useful, in transmitted light.

Do not apply water, alcohol, bleach, heat or tape. If the note remains in an old album, grading holder or sleeve, photograph the outside label before doing anything else. Never pull away packaging that has adhered to brittle paper; store the note flat, dark, dry and free from pressure.

Keep provenance notes separate from the banknote itself, but make their connection unambiguous. Note whether it came from an album or family papers and whether other First Series notes accompanied it. Preserve the wording of an old label even if it appears wrong, then state the discrepancy clearly so this 1,000 Yuan design is not later confused with another value or vignette.

Comparing First Series Renminbi designs

The First Series Renminbi shows notes from the same broad series; the guide First Series Renminbi: Denominations, Designs and Evidence explains how the designs differ. Useful contrasts include 1949 First Series Renminbi Sailing Ship 5 Yuan and 1949 First Series Renminbi Workers and Peasants 1 Yuan. Their imagery should not be borrowed for the Horses Drinking note. To send views of the prefix, watermark or repaired areas, use About Gu Jin Jian Bao | Collection Enquiries, WhatsApp 98342057 or Phone +852 9834 2057.