A Comprehensive Guide to the Four Yuan Shikai Dollar Mint Years: Varieties and Market Prices for Years | Gu Jin Jian Bao
Yuan Datou coins were minted in four years: the 3rd year of the Republic of China (1914), the 8th year (1919), the 9th year (1920), and the 10th year (1921). The mintage, variety, and market price differ for each year, but many new collectors find it difficult to distinguish them. Below, we will break down each year and provide the corresponding market price range for each variety.
I. Basic Background of the 4 Years
3rd Year of the Republic of China (1914)
The first batch of officially issued Yuan Datou coins, primarily minted by the Tianjin Mint, with subsidiary mints in Nanjing, Wuchang, Guangzhou, and others. This year has the largest surviving mintage and widest circulation among the four years. It features distinct design characteristics: Yuan Shikai's bust in a three-quarter profile, and simple auspicious grain patterns.
8th Year of the Republic of China (1919)
Re-minted in 1919, still primarily by Tianjin, but with a mintage far smaller than the 3rd-year version. Reason: Yuan Shikai had passed away 3 years prior, and the Republic of China government was in a state of civil war, affecting silver coin production. The 8th-year version has the smallest surviving mintage among the four years and the highest market price.
9th Year of the Republic of China (1920)
Large-scale re-minting in 1920, involving multiple mints including Tianjin, Nanjing, Wuchang, Guangzhou, and Shenyang. Due to the numerous mints and significant die variations, the 9th-year version exhibits the most variety changes (e.g., fine hair version, coarse hair version, Hainan version, etc.).
10th Year of the Republic of China (1921)
The last batch of machine-struck Yuan Datou coins in 1921, with stable mintage. The 10th-year version has two famous special varieties:"T-dot year"and"missing stroke in Zao"(Que Kou Zao), which command a much higher market price than the common version.
II. Complete Matrix of Year × Variety (Including Latest 2026 Hong Kong Buyback Price)
3rd Year of Republic Varieties
| Variety Name | Key Features | Rarity | Buyback Price Range (HKD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common Circulation Version | Standard design, no special hidden marks | Common | $2,500 - 4,500 |
| O Version | Small letter O below the auspicious grain on the reverse | Scarce | $35,000 - 80,000 |
| Triangular Yuan | The inner stroke of the character"Yuan "(Yuan) is triangular | Rare | $60,000 - 150,000 |
| L. Giorgi Obverse Signature Version | L. GIORGI signature below the neck | Pattern coin level | $800,000 - 4,000,000 |
| L. Giorgi Reverse Signature Version | Signature below the auspicious grain | Pattern coin level | $2,500,000 - 6,000,000 |
8th Year of Republic Varieties
| Variety Name | Key Features | Rarity | Buyback Price Range (HKD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common Version (8th Year) | Standard design, calligraphy of"Year"(year) slightly different from 3rd year version | Scarce | $8,000 - 18,000 |
| 8th Year Large Character Version | "Yi Yuan "(One Yuan) characters are thicker and larger | Rare | $25,000 - 60,000 |
| 8th Year Small Character Version | "Yi Yuan "(One Yuan) characters are thinner and smaller | Scarce | $10,000 - 22,000 |
| 8th Year "Niu Kou Zao" (Ox-Mouth Zao) | The inner stroke of the character"Zao"(Zao) resembles an ox's mouth | Rare | $45,000 - 120,000 |
9th Year of Republic Varieties
| Variety Name | Key Features | Rarity | Buyback Price Range (HKD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common Version (9th Year) | Standard design | Common | $3,500 - 6,500 |
| 9th Year Fine Hair Version | Yuan Shikai's hair strands are clearly distinguishable in 4 layers | Rare | $15,000 - 45,000 |
| 9th Year Coarse Hair Version | Hair strands are blurrier, in 2 layers | Scarce | $5,000 - 9,000 |
| 9th Year Hainan Version | Auspicious grain leaves on the reverse are slightly different | Rare | $20,000 - 50,000 |
| 9th Year "Niu Kou Zao" (Ox-Mouth Zao) | The inner stroke of the character"Zao"(Zao) resembles an ox's mouth | Scarce | $10,000 - 25,000 |
10th Year of Republic Varieties
| Variety Name | Key Features | Rarity | Buyback Price Range (HKD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common Version (10th Year) | Standard design | Common | $2,800 - 5,200 |
| T-dot Year | The first horizontal stroke of the character"Year"(year) has a T-shaped dot at the beginning | Rare | $25,000 - 70,000 |
| Missing Stroke in Zao | A natural missing stroke in the character"Zao"(Zao) | Rare | $18,000 - 45,000 |
| 10th Year Large Ear Version | Yuan Shikai's ear is depicted more deeply | Scarce | $8,000 - 18,000 |
III. How to Quickly Determine the Year of Your Yuan Datou?
Step 1: Check the Commemorative Year in the Lower Right of the Obverse
Below Yuan Shikai's portrait on the obverse of the Yuan Datou coin, there will be the inscription"Zhong Hua Republic of China X Year Zao"(Made in the Xth Year of the Republic of China), where X indicates the year. If the inscription is heavily worn, you can compare the number after the character"Min":
- "Zhong Hua Republic of China San Year Zao"– 3rd Year of the Republic of China
- "Zhong Hua Republic of China Ba Year Zao"– 8th Year of the Republic of China
- "Zhong Hua Republic of China Jiu Year Zao"– 9th Year of the Republic of China
- "Zhong Hua Republic of China Shi Year Zao"– 10th Year of the Republic of China
Step 2: Compare Key Font Differences
If the commemorative year section is heavily worn, other details can assist in identification:
- 3rd Year Version– The inner stroke of the character"Yuan "(Yuan) in"Yi Yuan "(One Yuan) is square.
- 8th Year Version– The calligraphy of the character"Year"(year) is more elegant, with thin horizontal strokes.
- 9th Year Version– The character"Year"(year) is thicker, and the hair details are either fine (fine hair version) or coarse (coarse hair version).
- 10th Year Version– The first horizontal stroke of the character"Year"(year) may have a T-shaped dot at the beginning (T-dot year version).
IV. Impact of Year on Market Price Trends
Overall trend: 8th Year Version > 9th Year Fine Hair Version > 10th Year Special Version > 3rd Year Version > 9th Year Common Version > 10th Year Common Version. Reasons:
- 8th Year Version has the smallest mintage – Due to the civil war affecting production that year, the mintage was about 1/5 of the 3rd year version.
- 9th Year Version has the richest variety – Multiple mints created various die variations, with the fine hair version being highly collectible.
- 3rd Year Version has the largest mintage – The common version has limited appreciation potential, but rare varieties (O version, triangular Yuan, signed versions) are extremely valuable.
- 10th Year Version has stable minting craftsmanship – Special varieties (T-dot year, missing stroke in Zao) command a premium.
V. Suggested Collection Combinations
Entry-Level Combination (Within HK$15,000 budget)
- 1x 3rd Year Republic Common Version (HK$3,500)
- 1x 8th Year Republic Common Version (HK$10,000)
- 1x 9th Year Republic Common Version (HK$4,500)
- 1x 10th Year Republic Common Version (HK$3,800)
- Total approx. HK$22,000, can complete the "Yuan Datou Four-Year Set"
Intermediate Combination (Within HK$80,000 budget)
- Four years of common versions (basic)
- 1x 9th Year Republic Fine Hair Version (HK$25,000)
- 1x 10th Year Republic T-dot Year (HK$35,000)
- Total approx. HK$80,000, covering mainstream varieties
Premium Combination (HK$500,000+ budget)
- Intermediate combination + 1x PCGS graded MS62 or higher O version or Triangular Yuan
- Total approx. HK$500,000+
VI. What to Do If You Have Yuan Datou Coins at Home?
- Verify the year (commemorative year"X Year Zao") and key font differences.
- Take clear close-up photos of the obverse, reverse, and edge reeding.
- WhatsApp 98342057 to send images to Gu Jin Jian Bao for free variety identification + valuation.
- If there's a potential rare variety, arrange a free on-site in-depth inspection + assistance in sending for PCGS / NGC grading.
Conclusion
The depth of Yuan Datou collecting goes far beyond the surface of "just a silver coin." The matrix formed by 4 years × multiple varieties means that even common versions can increase in value by more than 10 times due to special varieties. It is recommended that collectors first master year identification, then delve into the details of varieties, progressing from entry-level combinations to premium combinations, enjoying the sense of accomplishment and appreciation returns of collecting.
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