Buying and selling Sun Yat-sen's five-star commemorative coins and one-yuan silver coins from the | Gu Jin Jian Bao

In 1927, the Sun XiaotouFounding Commemorative Coin was re-minted. The new version was struck by the Tianjin Mint, featuring five-pointed stars on either side of the English inscription on the reverse, but it was not widely issued. Subsequently, various versions were minted by mints in Nanjing, Tianjin, Sichuan, Zhejiang, Hainan, and other locations, such as the single open-stroke, double open-stroke, dotted grass,"Ri"character, three-flower, lower five-star, upper five-star, upper six-star, and protruding circle varieties.

1. Upper Five-Star Version: This version features a five-pointed star at the two o'clock and ten o'clock positions on the reverse. It is a rarer version with high market value, and many counterfeits exist. Special care is needed when collecting, as many ordinary six-star versions have been altered to resemble the upper five-star version. The Sun's portrait on the upper five-star version has finer hair details, and the wheat ears on either side of the"Yi Yuan "(One Yuan) characters on the reverse are shorter.

2."Ri"Character Flower Version: The flower branches on either side of Sun's portrait on the obverse form a horizontal"Ri"(rì, meaning sun or day) character, composed of three vertical and two horizontal branches, hence its name. This version has a slightly higher market price.

3. Dotted Grass Version: The top of the flower branches on the obverse features two horizontal dots. Its price is comparable to the protruding circle version.

4. Protruding Circle Version: The upper part of the"Yuan "(yuán, meaning circle) character on the reverse extends beyond the outer frame, hence its name. Its market price does not differ significantly from the common version.

5. Single Open-Stroke and Double Open-Stroke Versions: The distinguishing feature is the character"Kai"(kāi, meaning open) in"Kai Guo Ji Nian Bi"(Founding Commemorative Coin) on the obverse. In the single open-stroke version, the horizontal line at the top of the"Kai"character's upper box connects both ends, while in the double open-stroke version, both boxes are connected by horizontal lines. The single open-stroke version is rarer, and its collection value is consequently higher.

6. Three-Flower Version: Refers to the flower branches on either side of Sun's portrait on the obverse, which are in the shape of a three-petaled flower, divided into left-and-right three-flower and right-three-flower versions.

Authenticating Sun Xiaotou Upper Five-Star Coins: Four Core Identification Points

Due to the scarcity of the Sun Xiaotou upper five-star variety in the market, many ordinary six-star versions are often altered and counterfeited by unscrupulous individuals. In addition to observing the hair strands of the portrait and the length of the wheat ears, professional old silver coin appraisal features also include the following unmissable details. For collectors looking to buy or sell Sun Yat-sen Founding Commemorative One Yuan silver coins, mastering these points is crucial:

1. Standard Weight and Dimension Measurement: A genuine Republic of China Founding Commemorative One Yuan silver coin typically weighs between 26.6 grams and 26.8 grams, with a diameter of approximately 39 millimeters, and a thickness of about 2.5 millimeters. If the weight deviation is too large, it is highly likely to be a lead or alloy counterfeit.
2. Edge Reeding and Striking Process: The edge reeding of a genuine Sun Xiaotou upper five-star coin is deep and uniform, which is a natural result of the high-pressure striking by large machinery at the Tianjin Mint at the time. Counterfeits with altered reeding often show harsh marks from filing or have uneven reeding depth.
3. Natural Patina and Silver Luster: The patina identification of old silver coins passed down for a century is key to distinguishing fakes. Genuine coins will have a warm, natural oxidation patina (such as black lacquer or multicolored patina), with a soft, non-glaring underlying luster. Modern chemical-treated fakes usually exhibit a dull gray or unnatural floating color on the surface.
4. Silver Tone Recognition: Gently tap the edge of the silver coin with your fingertip. A genuine silver coin will produce a clear, prolonged, and pleasant resonant sound. If the sound is dull or short, be wary of its material purity.

Why does the "Upper Five-Star Version" hold such high historical significance and auction potential?

From a historical perspective, the birth of the Sun Xiaotou upper five-star founding commemorative coin is legendary. After the success of the Northern Expedition in 1927, the Nationalist Government decided to re-mint silver coins featuring Sun Yat-sen's portrait to replace the then-circulating Yuan Datou. The upper five-star version, as a trial strike during the transitional period, was intended to differentiate itself from the previous six-star design with its "five-pointed star" motif. However, due to various historical factors (such as mold wear and policy adjustments), it was not mass-produced nationwide. This brief minting history created its absolute advantage of "scarcity reigns supreme."

In recent ancient coin auction records, a well-preserved Sun Xiaotou upper five-star silver dollar with original luster and high-grade certification from international grading agencies (such as PCGS or NGC) often fetches dozens or even hundreds of times the price of an ordinary upper six-star version. It is not merely a currency but a precious historical artifact that bears witness to the political changes and evolution of the financial system in the early Republican era.

Professional Silver Coin Preservation Advice and Physical Store Acquisition Services

Many novice collectors often cause damage to their rare variant silver dollars due to improper preservation. We strongly advise: never use any chemical silver cleaners, toothpaste, or hard brushes to clean old silver coins. Destroying a century-old natural patina is equivalent to erasing the coin's historical traces, which will significantly reduce its collection value and acquisition price. Please store silver coins in dedicated moisture-proof acrylic coin holders or graded slabs, and avoid touching the coin surface directly with your hands.

If you have a suspected upper five-star Sun Xiaotou or are uncertain about the value of old silver dollars in your possession, please feel free to contact us. As a professional ancient coin acquisition physical store, we offer free online preliminary valuation and in-store precise appraisal services to ensure your precious collection receives the fairest and highest acquisition price in line with current coin market trends.

Gujin Jianbaois a local ancient coin and antique Buyback shop, specializing in the authentication and valuation ofsilver dollars, banknotes, gold jewelry, and other collectibles. If you want to know the value of your collectibles, simply WhatsApp 98342057 with a photo. Every transaction involves in-person inspection and immediate quotation, without any hidden price reductions.

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• Sun Xiaotou Silver Coin Series
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