Guangxu Yuanbao"Top Ten Treasures": Market Transaction Records and Collection Positioning | Gu Jin Jian Bao
Guangxu Yuanbao's"Top Ten Rarities"is a classic list in the silver coin collecting circle – each piece is a top-tier collectible with extremely limited mintage and a market price ranging from hundreds of thousands to several millions. Below is an inventory of the actual auction records and collecting position of these ten coins.
Quick Overview of the Top Ten Silver Coin Rarities
| Rank | Silver Coin Name | 2026 High-Grade Sale Price (HKD) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fengtian Guimao One Tael Pattern Coin | $15,000,000+ |
| 2 | Hunan Guangxu 7 Mace 2 Candareens Pattern Coin | $8,500,000+ |
| 3 | Shaanxi Guangxu 7 Mace 2 Candareens Pattern Coin | $5,500,000+ |
| 4 | Fujian Guangxu 7 Mace 2 Candareens Pattern Coin | $3,500,000+ |
| 5 | Xuantong Year 3Qing Dynasty Silver CoinReverse Dragon | $3,200,000+ |
| 6 | Yuan Shikai L. Giorgi Signed Edition | $2,800,000+ |
| 7 | Sichuan Guangxu 7 Mace 2 Candareens Pattern | $2,500,000+ |
| 8 | Xuantong Year 3 Qing Dynasty Silver Coin Big Tail Dragon | $2,200,000+ |
| 9 | Xinjiang Guangxu 5 Mace Pattern Coin | $1,800,000+ |
| 10 | Beiyang Guangxu Year 22 Pattern Coin | $1,500,000+ |
Rank 1: Fengtian Guimao One Tael Pattern Coin
Basic Information
- Minting Year: 1903 (Guangxu Guimao Year)
- Mint: Fengtian Mint
- Denomination: Kuping One Tael (37.3g silver)
- Estimated Mintage: Approximately 5-10 pieces
- Current Surviving Quantity: Estimated 3-5 pieces
Historical Background
In 1903, the Fengtian Mint struck one-tael silver coins as patterns, preparing to establish a"tael system"silver standard (each tael = 37.3g silver). However, this proposal was ultimately rejected (China eventually chose the"yuan system,"where each yuan = 26.7g silver). The Fengtian Guimao one tael became a double rarity due to being a"pattern + abolished system."
Recent Auction Records
- 2022 China Guardian Spring Auction: HK$12,500,000
- 2025 Beijing Chengxuan Autumn Auction: HK$15,800,000
Rank 2: Hunan Guangxu 7 Mace 2 Candareens Pattern Coin
Basic Information
- Minting Year: 1898 (Guangxu Wuxu Year)
- Mint: Hunan Silver Coin Bureau
- Denomination: Kuping 7 Mace 2 Candareens
- Surviving Quantity: Estimated 5-8 pieces
Historical Background
The Hunan Silver Coin Bureau mintedGuangxu Yuanbaopatterns in 1898, preparing to join the trend of provinces minting silver coins. However, due to internal disputes and funding issues, formal mass production was cancelled. This batch of patterns represents the only surviving Hunan Guangxu Yuanbao.
Recent Auction Records
- 2023 Spink Hong Kong: HK$7,800,000
- 2025 China Guardian Spring Auction: HK$8,500,000
Rank 3: Shaanxi Guangxu 7 Mace 2 Candareens Pattern Coin
Basic Information
- Minting Year: Circa 1900 (Guangxu Gengzi Year)
- Mint: Shaanxi Mint (short-term operation)
- Surviving Quantity: Estimated 5-10 pieces
Ranks 4-5: Fujian Guangxu + Xuantong Reverse Dragon
The minting background of the Fujian Guangxu is similar to Hunan and Shaanxi, being unproduced patterns. The Xuantong Reverse Dragon is one of the five dragon varieties of the Xuantong Year 3 Qing Dynasty Silver Coin (Curled Whisker Dragon, Long Whisker Dragon, Short Whisker Dragon, Reverse Dragon, Big Tail Dragon), with the Reverse Dragon being unique for its reverse S-shaped dragon body.
Rank 6: Yuan Shikai L. Giorgi Signed Edition
TheYuan Datouminted as a pattern by the Tianjin Mint in 1914, with the engraver Luigi Giorgi adding his signature"L. GIORGI"to the initial patterns. It is a top-tier rarity in the Yuan Datou collecting circle, with approximately 15-25 pieces surviving.
Recent Auction Records
- 2024 Beijing Chengxuan: HK$3,150,000 (PCGS MS63 Reverse Signed Edition)
- 2026 China Guardian: HK$2,080,000 (PCGS MS62 Obverse Signed Edition)
Ranks 7-10: Sichuan, Big Tail Dragon, Xinjiang, Beiyang Patterns
The Sichuan Guangxu 7 Mace 2 Candareens pattern is an early attempt by the Sichuan Silver Coin Bureau, with few surviving pieces. The Big Tail Dragon is one of the pattern varieties of the Xuantong Year 3 Qing Dynasty Silver Coin. The Xinjiang Guangxu 5 Mace pattern is a unique version from the Xinjiang Mint (denomination differs from other provinces). The Beiyang Guangxu Year 22 pattern coin is the earliest attempt by the Beiyang Mint General Factory.
Common Characteristics of the Top Ten Rarities
Characteristic 1: Pattern-level Mintage
Most of the Top Ten Rarities are"pattern coins,"with a mintage of only 5-30 pieces. Compared to formally issued silver coins, which often number in the millions to tens of millions, the difference is enormous.
Characteristic 2: Historical Uniqueness
Each of the Top Ten Rarities has a unique historical background:
- Fengtian Guimao – the last attempt at the"tael system"
- Hunan, Shaanxi, Fujian Guangxu – unproduced provincial attempts
- L. Giorgi Signed Edition – the autograph of the Italian engraver
- Reverse Dragon, Big Tail Dragon – pattern designs of the Xuantong Five Dragons
Characteristic 3: Auction House Special Sales
Transactions for the Top Ten Rarities primarily take place at international reputable auction houses:
- Sotheby's China Coins special sale
- Christie's Hong Kong Chinese Coins special sale
- China Guardian Spring and Autumn Auctions
- Beijing Chengxuan Coin special sale
- Spink Hong Kong
Characteristic 4: PCGS / NGC Grading is Mandatory
All transactions for the Top Ten Rarities involve coins encapsulated by PCGS or NGC. Ungraded versions, even if genuine, cannot enter the mainstream auction market.
Market Outlook for the Top Ten Rarities
Trends for the Next 10 Years
Experts generally anticipate:
- Increase in top collectors (wealthy Chinese collectors, Southeast Asian Chinese)
- Continued accumulation of scarcity (no new supply, stable surviving quantity)
- Deepening internationalization (international auction houses dedicating more special sales to China Coins)
The market price of the Top Ten Rarities is expected to rise by 200-400% in the next 10 years (annualized 12-18%).
How Can Ordinary Collectors Access the Top Ten Rarities?
Method 1: Attend Auction House Previews
Previews for major auction houses like Spink Hong Kong, China Guardian, and Beijing Chengxuan's spring and autumn auctions are free to attend. You can personally view the physical Top Ten Rarities.
Method 2: Museum Exhibitions
Institutions such as the National Museum of China, the Palace Museum, and the Hong Kong Museum of History occasionally hold exhibitions of Chinese coins. You might see some physical Top Ten Rarities.
Method 3: Books and Online Resources
Websites like PCGS Coin Facts and NGC Coin Explorer offer high-resolution photos and detailed information on the Top Ten Rarities.
Method 4: Start with Lesser Rarities
While the Top Ten Rarities may be beyond the budget of most collectors, items from"Top Twenty Silver Coin Rarities"or"Top Fifty Silver Coin Rarities"lists (HK$50,000-500,000) are more practical buyback targets.
What to Do if You Suspect You Have a Top-Tier Rarity at Home?
- Absolutely do not clean it
- Use cotton gloves and place it in an acid-free coin holder
- Take clear, high-resolution photos (front, back, close-up of the edge)
- WhatsApp 98342057 to send photos to Gujin Appraisal for a free preliminary appraisal
- If there is a possibility of it being genuine, arrange for international express delivery for PCGS / NGC grading
- Once authenticity is confirmed, liquidate through an international auction house
Conclusion
The Top Ten Silver Coin Rarities represent the pinnacle of Chinese numismatic collecting. While 99.9% of collectors may not be able to own them, understanding the existence, history, and market value of this series is crucial for developing one's collecting taste and investment judgment. WhatsApp 98342057 to schedule a free consultation for top-tier rarity appraisal with Gujin Appraisal.
Want to know the value of your Guangxu Yuanbao?
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