Mr. Tang, a TCM practitioner in Cheung Sha Wan, moved his clinic: his grandfather found a complete set of Yunnan Guangxu Yuanbao coins at the bottom of his medicine cabinet.

Silver coins can be hidden anywhere. Among the cases I've handled these past few years, some were found at the bottom of safes, others in secret compartments in walls, and some even in mooncake tins. But this time, they were discovered in a secret drawer of a traditional Chinese medicine cabinet—the whole thing had a wonderful sense of history.

Mr. Tang, in his early fifties, has run a traditional Chinese medicine clinic in Cheung Sha Wan for over twenty years. Recently, his lease expired, and he had to move to a new location. While dismantling the rosewood medicine cabinet inherited from his grandfather, the师傅 (master craftsman) found a secret compartment beneath the bottom board of the third drawer. Inside was a small wooden box wrapped in red silk, and in the box were seven old silver coins of different sizes.

"This medicine cabinet has been with my grandfather, my dad, and now me for over sixty years. I never knew there was a secret compartment underneath," Mr. Tang sent photos via WhatsApp, asking if they were silver coins.

Physical Appraisal: Yunnan Province Guangxu Yuanbao "Small Set"

Upon individual inspection of the seven coins, all featured "Yunnan Province Guangxu Yuanbao" (雲南省造 光緒元寶) cast on the obverse, and a unique Yunnan dragon design on the reverse. The denominations covered three specifications:

  • 7 Mace 2 Candareens (1 Yuan) ×2: Diameter 39mm, weight 26.7-26.8 grams, condition VF20-VF30
  • 3 Mace 6 Candareens (Half Yuan) ×2: Diameter 33mm, weight 13.3-13.4 grams, condition VF25
  • 1 Mace 4 Candareens 4 Li (2 Jiao) ×3: Diameter 23mm, weight 5.3 grams, condition F12-VF20

The distinctive feature of Guangxu Yuanbao coins from Yunnan Province is their unique dragon design, which differs significantly from other provinces—the dragon's body is more slender, the flaming pearl is positioned higher, and the cloud patterns are swirling. This batch of seven coins perfectly covers the three main denominations, known in the trade as a "small set."

Valuation and Transaction

  • 1 Yuan ×2: HK$5,500 + HK$4,200 = HK$9,700
  • Half Yuan ×2: HK$3,800 + HK$3,800 = HK$7,600
  • 2 Jiao ×3: HK$1,200 + HK$1,500 + HK$1,000 = HK$3,700
  • Total for the batch: HK$21,000

Mr. Tang completed the transaction on the spot. He mentioned that this amount was exactly what he needed for the renovation costs of his new clinic. Before leaving, he asked, "I'm moving the medicine cabinet to the new clinic. Do you think there might still be secret compartments?" We chuckled and said we'd only know if we took it apart.

Found silver coins while moving, renovating, or clearing out old furniture? WhatsApp 98342057, and Gujin Jianbao (古金鑒寶) offers free on-site appraisal of physical items.

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Common FAQs

光緒元寶值多少錢一枚？

光緒元寶因為各省都有鑄造，價格差異極大。北洋造光緒元寶（北洋34年）普通版約 HK$3,000–8,000；湖北省造約 HK$2,000–6,000；廣東省造約 HK$1,500–5,000；江南省造（戊戌、己亥、辛丑等干支版）約 HK$2,500–10,000。至於稀有版本如奉天省造、吉林省造、四川省造等存世量少嘅省份，高分品相可達 HK$50,000 以上，個別孤品更突破百萬港幣。具體價值要睇龍紋版別、品相、包漿同邊齒狀態。

光緒元寶可唔可以洗乾淨啲先賣？

千萬唔好洗！呢個係銀元收藏最大忌諱。銀幣表面嘅黑色或彩色包漿係百年自然氧化形成，係 PCGS、NGC 等國際評級機構判斷真偽嘅關鍵依據。一旦清洗（無論用牙膏、檸檬酸定銀飾擦），表面層立即被破壞，輕則價值打對折，重則直接被評為「Cleaned」（清洗幣），價值可能跌 70% 以上。寧願原狀拎去專業回收商鑑定。

點解唔同省造嘅光緒元寶價值差咁遠？

三個原因：第一存世量，廣東、湖北鑄量大所以普品多、價平；奉天、吉林、新疆等省鑄量少自然貴。第二龍紋工藝，各省龍紋設計唔同，江南省嘅「干支紀年版」（戊戌、辛丑）特別細緻有藝術價值。第三歷史背景，部分省份只鑄過試樣幣（如奉天癸卯）就停產，存世幾枚就成神級珍品。建議將你嘅光緒元寶拍正反面 + 邊齒近照發 WhatsApp 98342057 由專人鑑定具體版別。

Antique gold appraisal and treasure buying with cash on-site service:

Recycling process

  • 1) Clients should first provide basic information about their collections via WhatsApp (852) 98342057. You can also contact us directly via this link.

  • 2) We will provide a preliminary quote after receiving the image information.

  • 3) Both parties agree on a time and place (on-site inspection is available) to inspect the collection. We will provide a precise quote based on the actual condition of the collection.

  • 4) Confirm the sale and make payment in various forms such as bank transfer or cash.
Welcome to send pictures for free appraisal and quotation ▶

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