Qing Dynasty Silver Coins, Yuan Datou, Guangxu Yuanbao, Sun Xiaotou, Ship Dollars — Quick Valuation | Gu Jin Jian Bao

The silver dollars passed down by elders are usually not just one type – a bag might contain Da Qing Silver Dollars, Yuan Datou, Guangxu Yuanbao, Sun Xiaotou, Junk Dollars, or even a few Japanese Dragon Dollars. Checking the price of each one can be time-consuming. Below is a quick reference table compiling the estimated market values for the six major types of silver dollars in Hong Kong for 2026, categorized by variant and condition, allowing you to get a rough idea of your collection's worth within 5 minutes.

2026 Hong Kong Silver Dollar Market Overview

Characteristics of the Hong Kong silver dollar market in May 2026:

  • International silver price around HK$280/gram (volatile at high levels)
  • Market price for rare variants continues to rise 12-18%/year
  • PCGS / NGC grading becomes standard
  • Professional dealers' actual acquisition rate 97-102%

Category 1: Da Qing Silver Dollars (Xuantong Three Years)

Variant Common VF MS62 MS65+
Curved Whisker Dragon (Circulation) $3,500-5,500 $12,000-25,000 $50,000+
Short Whisker Dragon $30,000-50,000 $80,000-150,000 $350,000+
Long Whisker Dragon $50,000-80,000 $150,000-250,000 $550,000+
Reverse Dragon $300,000+ $800,000+ $3,200,000+
Big Tail Dragon $500,000+ $1,200,000+ $2,200,000+

Identification Points

  • Obverse:"Great Qing silver coin"(Da Qing Silver Coin) +"Xuan Tong San Year"(Xuantong Three Years) +"Ku Ping Qi Qian Er Fen"(Kuping Qiqian Erfen)
  • Reverse: Dragon motif (varies by variant)
  • Reeding: 178 vertical reeded edges
  • Weight: 26.7g

Category 2: Yuan Datou (Republic of China Silver Dollars)

Year + Variant Common VF MS62 MS65+
Year 3 Common Variant $2,500-4,500 $10,000-22,000 $45,000+
Year 3 O Variant $35,000-50,000 $45,000-80,000 $180,000+
Year 3 Triangular Circle $60,000-95,000 $95,000-150,000 $380,000+
Year 3 L.G. Signed Variant $450,000+ $1,500,000+ $4,000,000+
Year 8 Common Variant $8,000-18,000 $25,000-50,000 $120,000+
Year 9 Common Variant $3,500-5,500 $12,000-25,000 $55,000+
Year 9 Fine Hair Variant $15,000-30,000 $45,000-80,000 $180,000+
Year 10 Common Variant $2,800-5,200 $10,000-22,000 $50,000+
Year 10 T Dot Year $25,000-45,000 $70,000-110,000 $220,000+

Identification Points

  • Obverse: Yuan Shikai's portrait +"Zhong Hua Republic of China X Year Zao"(Made in X Year of the Republic of China)
  • Reverse: Jiahe (grain) ornamentation +"Yi Yuan "(One Yuan)
  • Reeding: 175-180 vertical reeded edges
  • Weight: 26.6-26.8g

Category 3: Guangxu Yuanbao (Provincial Variants)

Province Common VF MS62 Rare Variant
Guangdong Province Mint $2,500-5,000 $10,000-25,000 Reverse Variant HK$1,000,000+
Hubei Province Mint (E Province) $2,500-5,500 $15,000-35,000 Local Province Variant HK$80,000-200,000
Jiangnan Province Mint $3,500-8,000 $18,000-40,000 Gan Zhi Era Variant Premium
Beiyang Mint (Year 22) $25,000+ $80,000+ Top Rarity
Beiyang Mint (Year 34) $6,500-9,500 $25,000-45,000 $80,000-150,000+
Sichuan Province Mint $5,000-12,000 $25,000-65,000 Trial Strike HK$2,500,000+
Yunnan Province Mint $5,000-15,000 $30,000-80,000 Rare Variant with Premium
Fengtian Province Mint $30,000-150,000 $200,000-500,000 Gui Mao Trial Strike HK$15,000,000+
Fujian Province Mint $15,000-50,000 $80,000-200,000 Trial Strike HK$3,500,000+
Hunan Province Mint $50,000+ Top Rarity Trial Strike HK$8,500,000+

Category 4: Xuantong Yuanbao (Provincial Variants)

Province Common VF MS62
Hubei Province Mint $1,500-3,000 $8,000-25,000
Guangdong Province Mint (Four-Claw Dragon) $4,000-7,000 $20,000-60,000
Guangdong Province Mint (Five-Claw Dragon) $60,000+ $150,000-300,000
Yunnan Province Mint $5,000-15,000 $30,000-80,000
Xinjiang Province Mint $10,000-50,000 $80,000-200,000+

Category 5: Sun Xiaotou (Sun Yat-sen Founding of the Republic Commemorative Coin)

Variant Common VF MS62 MS65+
Upper Six Stars Variant (Standard) $1,500-3,500 $3,800-8,000 $15,500-28,000
Lower Five Stars Variant $5,000-12,000 $15,500-30,000 $95,800-185,000
Upper Five Stars Variant (Pattern Coin) $180,000-300,000 $450,000-750,000 $950,000+

Category 6: Junk Dollars (Sun Yat-sen Twin-Sail Junk)

Year/Variant Common VF MS62 MS65+
Year 22 Variant $1,500-3,500 $5,500-12,000 $28,000-50,000
Year 23 Variant (Standard) $1,200-2,800 $4,500-9,500 $25,000-50,000
Year 23 Three Birds Coin $45,000-75,000 $200,000-380,000 $650,000+

Category 7: Japanese Dragon Dollars

Year/Variant Common VF MS62
Meiji Year 3 (First Issue) $8,000-15,000 $30,000-80,000
Meiji Year 3 Missing Shell (Qian Bei Yuan) $50,000+ $120,000-300,000
Meiji Years 7-30 Common Variant $1,500-4,000 $5,500-15,000
Taisho Period $1,200-3,000 $4,500-10,000
Showa Year 8 (Trial Strike) $30,000+ $50,000-150,000+
Trade Silver (1875-1877) $15,000-25,000 $80,000-150,000

Category 8: Foreign Trade Silver

Type Common VF MS62
Mexican Eagle Dollar (Common Year) $500-2,000 $3,500-8,000
Mexican Eagle Dollar (Rare Year) $5,000-20,000 $30,000-80,000
British Trade Dollar (Standard) $500-2,000 $3,500-8,000
French Indochina Trade Dollar $300-1,200 $2,500-6,500

Overall Valuation Process

Step 1: Categorize

Group all silver dollars at home by category (Da Qing, Yuan Datou, Guangxu, Sun Xiaotou, Junk Dollars, Japanese, Foreign).

Step 2: Identify Key Features

For each silver dollar, record:

  • Year
  • Province/Mint
  • Variant (if any special variant)
  • Condition (VF / XF / AU / MS)

Step 3: Cross-reference with this Price Table

Find the corresponding market price range by category + features.

Step 4: Accumulate Total Value

The sum of all silver dollar valuations = the approximate market value of silver dollars at home.

Step 5: Professional Confirmation

WhatsApp 98342057 to schedule a free home appraisal with Gujin Jianbao for an accurate valuation.

Typical Hong Kong Household Silver Dollar Valuation

Scenario 1: Small Collection (3-5 coins)

  • 1 Yuan Datou Year 3 (HK$3,500)
  • 1 Guangxu Yuanbao Guangdong variant (HK$3,000)
  • 1 Sun Xiaotou Upper Six Stars (HK$2,500)
  • 1 Mexican Eagle Dollar (HK$1,500)
  • Total value approximately HK$10,500

Scenario 2: Medium Collection (10-20 coins)

  • 3 Yuan Datou various years (HK$15,000-25,000)
  • 2 Guangxu Yuanbao different provinces (HK$5,000-10,000)
  • 1 Da Qing Silver Dollar Curved Whisker Dragon (HK$4,500-7,000)
  • 3 Sun Xiaotou (HK$8,000-12,000)
  • Multiple foreign silver dollars (HK$5,000-15,000)
  • Total value approximately HK$37,500-69,000

Scenario 3: Large Collection (Family Heritage 50+ coins)

  • Yuan Datou various years (including rare variants): HK$50,000-300,000
  • Guangxu Yuanbao various provinces: HK$30,000-200,000
  • Da Qing Silver Dollars (including rare variants): HK$15,000-500,000+
  • Sun Xiaotou, Junk Dollars, etc.: HK$15,000-100,000
  • Foreign silver dollars: HK$10,000-50,000
  • Total value approximately HK$120,000-1,150,000+

Conclusion

A centralized valuation of silver dollars at home is the first step to understanding the total value of your collection. This article's 8 major quick reference tables cover 95% of common household silver dollars. For an accurate valuation, WhatsApp 98342057 to schedule a free home appraisal with Gujin Jianbao — we will spend 30-60 minutes compiling a complete valuation list and offering monetization advice.

Gujin Jianbao – Professional Yuan Datou Buyback

Free appraisal ‧ Transparent quotation ‧ Instant cash ‧ On-site purchase across Hong Kong. If you have similar old items, don't rush to sell them cheaply. You can WhatsApp us for an appraisal first to understand the real market value.

📱 WhatsApp 98342057 Contact Now

Back to blog

Common FAQs

I have various types of silver dollars at home. How can I get a centralized appraisal?

5 Steps: First, categorize (group by Qing Dynasty, Yuan Datou, Guangxu, Sun Xiaotou, Junk Dollar, Japanese, foreign, etc.); Second, identify key features (record year, province/mint, variant, condition for each coin); Third, refer to the quick reference table in this article (find the corresponding market price range by category + features); Fourth, sum up the total value (total of all silver dollar appraisals); Fifth, professional confirmation (WhatsApp 98342057 to book a free in-home appraisal with Gujin Jianbao for an accurate valuation). The entire process can be completed in 30-60 minutes.

How much is the typical Hong Kong family's silver dollar collection worth?

Depends on the collection size: Small collection (3-5 coins) approximately HK$10,000-15,000; Medium collection (10-20 coins) approximately HK$37,500-69,000; Large family heirloom collection (50+ coins) approximately HK$120,000-1,150,000+. For rare variants (Yuan Datou O variant, Sun Xiaotou lower five-star, Xuantong Qing Dynasty Silver Coin short-bearded dragon, etc.), a single coin can reach HK$30,000-200,000+. Recommendation: First, use the quick reference table in this article for a preliminary estimate, then WhatsApp 98342057 to book a free accurate appraisal with Gujin Jianbao.

Which type of silver dollar has the largest market price range?

General rule: Late Qing Dynasty pattern silver dollars have the largest market price range (from common items at HK$30,000 to top-tier items at HK$15,000,000+, a difference of 500 times); Yuan Datou comes second (from common 3rd year Republic of China variant at HK$2,500 to L. Giorgi signed variant at HK$4,000,000+, a difference of 1,600 times); Foreign trade silver dollars have a smaller range (common trade dollars at HK$500 to rare years at HK$80,000, a difference of 160 times). Reason: The higher the rarity and the greater the variation in types, the wider the market price range.

How do I know the variant of the silver dollars at home?

Three steps to determine: First, look at the text on the obverse ("Qing Dynasty Silver Coin," "Yuan Datou," "Guangxu Yuanbao X Province Made," "Republic of China," "One Yuan," etc. for initial categorization); Second, look at key features (Yuan Datou for year, Guangxu Yuanbao for province, Sun Xiaotou for number of stars, Junk Dollar for above the sailboat on the reverse); Third, use a 10x magnifying glass to examine details (hidden marks, reeding, character roots, dragon patterns). If you cannot distinguish, take clear photos of both sides + close-ups of the reeding and send them to WhatsApp 98342057. Gujin Jianbao provides free variant identification.

  • 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.