Discovery of Old Silver Coins During Tai Po Farm Renovation: Authentication Report of a 1911 Trade | Gu Jin Jian Bao

The way some silver dollars appear is quite dramatic. In this case last month, the silver coins weren't found in a camphor chest, but rather fell out of a crack in a mud wall at an organic farm in Tai Po.

Quick Conclusion:When choosing a British Trade Dollar buyback service, the most important things to check are transparent inspection, itemized quotations, and clear settlement methods.

Mr. Chow, 45, quit his finance job in Central a few years ago to rent land in Lam Tsuen, Tai Po, and open an organic farm. Recently, he hired workers to renovate a pre-war stone house on the farm. While demolishing a wall, the workers discovered a hidden compartment containing several metal objects wrapped in oiled cloth. Mr. Chow opened them to find two severely oxidized silver coins and a copper pipe.

"The stone house is at least seventy or eighty years old. The previous occupants probably hid these items there during the chaotic times of war,"Mr. Chow mused. Although he found it interesting, he knew nothing about ancient coins. He searched online and found Gu Jin Jian Bao, sending them a few photos via WhatsApp.

Dual Coin Authentication

First Coin: 1911 British Trade Dollar

The obverse features Britannia holding a trident standing by the sea, and the reverse shows the Chinese and English denomination"One Dollar". The year 1911 is a later version of the Trade Dollar series. Due to being buried in the wall for a long time, the surface has a thick layer of oxidation, but the underlying details are still well-preserved. It is estimated that after cleaning, it could reach VF20-25. It weighs 26.91 grams and has a silver content of 90%.

Second Coin: 1899 French Indochina Piastre

The obverse features a seated Liberty, and the reverse has the Chinese characters"Trade Silver · French Indochina". The year is 1899, minted in Paris. The condition is F12-15, with noticeable circulation wear, but the reeded edge is intact. It weighs 27.1 grams.

Pricing and Transaction

The buyback price for a 1911 British Trade Dollar in VF condition is approximately HK$2,500-3,500; an 1899 French Indochina Piastre in F condition is about HK$1,200-1,800. The total quoted price for both coins was HK$4,800.

After receiving the money, Mr. Chow smiled and said,"The renovation of the farm cost over a hundred thousand, so these two silver coins are like a gift from the stone house to me."

Information to Verify Before Choosing a Service

• Inspection Method:Confirm that the other party will explain each inspection tool, the basis for their judgment, and that they cannot just give a verbal estimate.
• Quotation:Request an itemized list including type, condition, weight or variant, deduction items, and the final net amount.
• Settlement Security:Before transacting in person or at the store, confirm the payment method, identity verification, receipt, and confidentiality arrangements.

The value of a service-oriented article lies in helping you check if the process is transparent; before an official transaction, you should ask the other party to itemize the inspection methods, quotation basis, and payment methods.

Service Quotation Boundary (2026-06-03)

A commitment to a service process does not mean that every collectible has a fixed purchase price. Before an official transaction, it should still be calculated item by item based on the authenticity, condition, purity, weight, variant, grading results, and the current transaction price.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to determine if a buyback service is transparent?

See if the other party is willing to explain each inspection method, the composition of the quote, deduction items, and payment methods, instead of just giving a total price.

What should I prepare before an in-person transaction?

First, take clear photos of the collectibles, organize the quantity and source information, and confirm the transaction location, payment method, receipt, and privacy arrangements.