CHINA--FOREIGN BANKS. Deutsch-Asiatische Bank. 5 Dollars, 1907. P-S262s. Specimen. PMG Gem Uncirculated 65 EPQ. An exceedingly uncommon and remarkably well-preserved artifact hailing from the Hankow Division of the Deutsche-Asiatische Bank, a financial institution established on the 15th of May, 1889, and headquartered in Shanghai. Remarkably distinguished as the exclusive German bank vested with the authority to author its own currency within China, this specimen, meticulously crafted by Giesecke & Devrient, exudes a vivid array of hues and is endowed with a lustrous quality of paper. The design prominently showcases Germania, positioned on the right with a spear, the seal of the German eagle adorning the upper left corner, and an intricately detailed dragon vignette embellishing the lower left quadrant.<p><p>Notably, an intricately perforated "Druckprobe" inscription graces the upper and lower margins, while a distinct crimson "Specimen" overprint is conspicuous on the reverse side. It merits emphasis that this particular piece holds the exclusive distinction of being the sole graded exemplar recorded within the PMG Population Report, thus underscoring its status as an extraordinary rarity that could unquestionably enhance any numismatic assemblage. It is also worth mentioning that Hankow, historically significant as a key trading hub and port city along the Yangtze River, further imbues this specimen with a unique historical context.
