Year 10 (1921) "T-Dot Year" and "Notched ZAO" Yuan Datou: A Collector's Guide to the Final Machine-Struck Coin Varieties

The tenth year of the Republic of China (1921) was the last official minting year for Yuan Datou coins – although small numbers were reminted later, no new dies were created. Special varieties of the Year 10 edition include "T-Dot Nian" (where the first stroke of the character "年" (nian) is T-shaped) and "Gap Zao" (where the character "造" (zao) has a gap in its mouth radical), each with unique identification methods.

I. Historical Background of the Year 10 Edition

1921 was during the late period of the Beiyang government, and the craftsmanship and equipment of the Tientsin Mint were already very mature. Characteristics of the Year 10 edition:

• Stable minting quality, with overall appearance superior to the Year 8 and Year 9 editions.
• Mintage of approximately 45 million pieces, between the Year 3 edition (150 million) and the Year 8 edition (30 million).
• Design is essentially consistent with the Year 3 edition, but the calligraphy of the character "年" is slightly different.
• It was the last peak period for Yuan Datou – mintage declined significantly after 1922, and officially ceased in 1929.

The Year 10 edition was also one of the most widely circulated silver coins in the market. This was because domestic politics in China were relatively stable that year, and a large number of silver coins entered civilian circulation, with many overseas Chinese (especially in Southeast Asia) also collecting them. Today, in the Hong Kong market, Year 10 editions account for approximately 30-35% of "family-inherited Yuan Datou" coins.

II. Special Variety 1: T-Dot Nian

Key Features

"T-Dot Nian" refers to the character "年" in "中華民國十年造" (Made in the Tenth Year of the Republic of China) on the obverse, where the starting point of the first horizontal stroke has a tiny T-shaped dot – as if the starting point of the first horizontal stroke of the character "年" has been turned into a small T-shaped symbol.

Identification Method

Use a 10-20x magnifying glass to examine the starting point of the first horizontal stroke of the character "年":

• Regular Year 10 edition: The first horizontal stroke starts with a normal, rounded beginning.
• T-Dot Nian edition: The starting point has a clear T-shaped dot, similar to the combination of a "dot" and a "horizontal stroke" in calligraphy.

Rarity and Market Price

The estimated mintage of T-Dot Nian is approximately 300,000-500,000 pieces (about 1% of the total mintage of the Year 10 edition). The surviving quantity is about 30,000-60,000 pieces. 2026 Hong Kong recycling prices:

• Circulated worn condition (VF-XF): HK$25,000 - 40,000
• Lightly circulated condition (AU): HK$40,000 - 55,000
• Uncirculated graded condition (MS62+): HK$55,000 - 100,000

III. Special Variety 2: Gap Zao

Key Features

"Gap Zao" refers to the character "造" in "中華民國十年造" (Made in the Tenth Year of the Republic of China) on the obverse, where the second horizontal stroke (the short horizontal in the middle) has a clear natural gap – as if the stroke was interrupted during writing.

Identification Method

Use a 10x magnifying glass to examine the character "造":

• Regular Year 10 edition: The strokes of the character "造" are complete and continuous.
• Gap Zao edition: One of the strokes of the character "造" (usually the short horizontal in the middle) has a clear gap.

Note: The gap must be formed during minting (a natural broken appearance, consistent depth with other strokes), not due to later wear or damage.

Rarity and Market Price

The estimated mintage of Gap Zao is approximately 500,000-800,000 pieces. The surviving quantity is about 50,000-100,000 pieces. 2026 Hong Kong recycling prices:

• Circulated worn condition: HK$18,000 - 28,000
• Lightly circulated condition: HK$28,000 - 38,000
• Uncirculated graded condition: HK$40,000 - 65,000

IV. Special Variety 3: Large Ear Edition

Key Features

The "Large Ear Edition" refers to Yuan Shikai's portrait where the ears are engraved deeper, larger, and have a clear outline. Compared to the flattened ear contour of the regular edition, the ears of the large ear edition have a strong three-dimensional feel and a clear concave depth.

Identification Method

Use a 10x magnifying glass to examine Yuan Shikai's ear area:

• Regular Year 10 edition: The ears are engraved shallower, and the outline is relatively flat.
• Large Ear edition: The ears have significant depth, a clear concave outline, and account for approximately 12-15% of the portrait's proportion (compared to about 8-10% for the regular edition).

Rarity and Market Price

The estimated mintage of the Large Ear edition is approximately 800,000-1,200,000 pieces. The surviving quantity is relatively large, about 100,000-150,000 pieces. 2026 Hong Kong recycling prices:

• Circulated worn condition: HK$8,000 - 13,000
• Lightly circulated condition: HK$13,000 - 18,000
• Uncirculated graded condition: HK$20,000 - 35,000

V. Year 10 Edition Complete Variety Matrix Comparison

Variety	Key Features	Rarity	Recycling Price Range (HKD)
Regular Edition	Standard design	Common	$2,800 - 5,200
Large Ear Edition	Yuan Shikai's ears are engraved deeper	Less common	$8,000 - 35,000
Gap Zao	"造" character has a gap in its stroke	Less common	$18,000 - 65,000
T-Dot Nian	"年" character has a T-shaped dot at the beginning of its stroke	Rare	$25,000 - 100,000

VI. 5-Minute Home Appraisal Process

Step 1: Confirm the Year

The characters "中華民國十年造" on the obverse are clear, and the calligraphy of the character "年" is relatively thick. After confirming it is a Year 10 edition, proceed to the next step.

Step 2: Check for 3 Special Variety Features Sequentially

Examine each feature one by one with a 10x magnifying glass:

• Step 1: Look at the beginning stroke of "年" → T-Dot Nian?
• Step 2: Look at the strokes of "造" → Gap Zao?
• Step 3: Look at Yuan Shikai's ears → Large Ear Edition?

Step 3: Take Clear, High-Resolution Photos

Close-up photos of the obverse, reverse, and edge reeding. If special variety features are found, specifically take macro photos of that detail (recommended to use phone's macro mode or 10x magnifying glass + phone).

Step 4: Contact Professional Appraisal

WhatsApp 98342057 to send photos. Gujin Jianbao provides free variety confirmation + valuation. If it is a genuine rare variety, we can arrange free on-site in-depth inspection + assist with PCGS / NGC grading.

VII. Year 10 Edition Collection Strategy Recommendations

Strategy 1: Start by Acquiring a Regular Edition

With a budget of HK$3,000-5,000, you can acquire a regular Year 10 edition in good condition. This serves as a basic specimen for Yuan Datou collection. After understanding the standard features of the Year 10 edition, then delve into the special varieties.

Strategy 2: Upgrade to a Large Ear Edition

With a budget of HK$8,000-20,000, you can acquire a Large Ear edition (PCGS MS62 or higher graded condition recommended). The Large Ear edition is the easiest entry point among the Year 10 special varieties, with clear and easily identifiable features.

Strategy 3: Top-Tier Pursuit of T-Dot Nian

With a budget of HK$50,000-100,000, you can acquire a PCGS MS62+ graded T-Dot Nian. This represents a top achievement in Year 10 edition collection and has significant future appreciation potential.

Strategy 4: Collect the "Year 10 Quadruple Pearl"

A complete set of the Year 10 varieties including the Regular edition + Large Ear edition + Gap Zao + T-Dot Nian totals approximately HK$85,000-130,000, achieving a systematic collection in the silver dollar collecting community.

Conclusion

The special varieties of the Yuan Datou from the Tenth Year of the Republic of China are classic examples of "medium budget, clear appreciation potential." Compared to the pattern coin-level threshold of the Year 3 edition (signed versions starting at HK$800,000), the Year 10 T-Dot Nian, Gap Zao, and Large Ear editions offer a practically achievable advanced path. Mastering the appraisal features of these three varieties + PCGS grading assurance is a crucial step for silver dollar collection from beginner to advanced levels.