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Varieties of the
Yuan Shih Kai Silver Dollar

The most widely circulated coin in China


It is very strange that the conventional type of "Yuan Shih Kai" coins which were great trusted by the Chinese, and were widely circulated throughout in China in those days. I think those who collect Chinese coins, they must have at least one or two Yuen's coins, because Yuan's coins are very common. But I find that type of coins were seldom talking by any coinage related web site in the world.

Kann stated that there were far more than 200 different die varieties of the Yuan"s silver dollar. I have posted here with 3 Yuan Shih Kai silver coin with some peculiarities. They all belong to Mr. LKT of Malaysia. Some of these coins, he actually bought it in Malaysia from the original owner (not from dealers). If you know any thing about them, feel free to drop me a line. Thanks indeed!

I received e-mails of commentary about the Yuan's coins from Mr. Hao Sun in mid April. I post his comments in green after my brief descriptions of the coins. Thanks indeed to Mr. Hao Sun for his excellent informations !!!


Marks of Rareness of the Collected Currencies
Extremely Rare A ~ Very Rare B ~ Rare C ~ Not So Many D ~ Common E

Obverse Reverse Description
No. 147
Diam.
38.9 mm
Wt. 26.6 g.
Mint Evolution and Peculiarity Rareness B
On the obverse of this coin bears with the name of L. GIORGI, the Italian engraver who designed this coin. In the regular issue coins, the name was removed. As I know that the name should appear on the pattern issue coin only. But some of the provincial mints had struck that type of coins again in order to meet the collecting marker demand. This coin is rare, though this coin was issued by the other provincial mint.
More I concern that the size of the 2nd alphabet "G", it should be same size as the 1st alphabet "L". but the alphabet "G" on this coin appears in a small size. This may be a die variety by the other provincial mint.



Commentary by Mr. Hao Sun on YSK coin with inscriptions "L. GIORGI":

1. The letters too large, almost twice as it should, and the letter G should same size as L.
2. Design of stars varying and throat should covering the first line of collar. ( please ref. yr. 9 YSK dollar )

ObverseReverseDescription
No. 148
Diam.
38.85 mm
Wt. 26.8 g.
Mint Evolution and PeculiarityRareness B
The appearance of this coin denotes that it was issued by Kansu Provincial Mint. Two chinese characters denoting Kansu Province appears on the both side of Yuan's bust. Fine condition speciments like this coin is very difficult to get. Chinese numismatic reference always point out that the silver content of this coin is very low, but I think it doesn't matter for the collectors. The more important you get a copy of it. I concern a little is the two Chinese characters "Kans-Su", they do not like what I know. I hope this coin was not created by the coin dealer for a better price. The silver content of this coin looks much more than 70% of fineness by just judging the surface colour only.

There are quite a few varieties of Kansu coins, but only two are listed here. The below Kansu Yuan's coin is a more ordinary design. This specimen is in a very nice condition. This coin is belonged to Mr.XSX. He is so kind as to let me post his coin images here. Thanks indeed to Mr.XSX.


By courtesy of Mr. XSX


By courtesy of Mr. XSX

No. 355
Diam.
38.8 mm
Wt. 26.8 g.
Mint Evolution and PeculiarityRareness B


Comments on YSK Dollar with KANSU Characters by Mr. Hao Sun :

1.All products of Kansu Mint were low in quality, both fineness and dies
2.Design of YSK-Kansu's shoulder-flash was similar to yr.10 YSK dollar, its edge only touch the last line of collar. ( so- called " Kansu Pattern " Kann-list 649 & -759 )

A Brief Introduction of Kansu & Its Mint

Kansu is a province located in north-central China. The west end of the Great Wall and east end of the " Silk Road ". A mint was built in 1920 for issuse Cash coins, the mint then moved to Lanchow in 1928 and began produce silver dollars until 1935. The mint closed in 1939. It was reopened in 1949 but only for few months and closed again shortly after Commuist took over. The YSK dollars with KANSU characters ( K-759 or K&M World Coins Y#-407 ) were minted between 1930 to 1931.

ObverseReverseDescription
No. 149
Diam.
39.1 mm
Wt. 26.5 g.
Mint Evolution and PeculiarityRareness B
On the obverse of this coin, we see clearly a chopmark with 3 Chinese characters meaning Soviet on the right of Yuan's bust. I don't have any reference with the "Soviet" chopmark, though I keep much references about Chinese Soviet Republic currency. I think this might be a clever decision made by the Soviet mint authority, so that this type of silver coins would not flow out of Soviet districts. Of course, this chopmark might be made for the silver fabrications. All these need a further investigation.



Comments on YSK Soviet Dollar by Mr. Hao Sun :

According to some research, this YSK Soviet stamped dollar was created by a coin dealer named Ping Yu-Lin, who also made many counterfeit coins including different types of Chinese Soviet money during 30s, in Shanghai. The punch was made by an ex-empolyee of Fukien Mint. These were leaked out by his partner after they had arguments. Ping later died in prison. The Soviet stamped dollars also found on coins with date yr.9. The so-called Fantasy coins are still collectable but just for fun.

BUYER BEWARE!!!

BACKGROUND OF CHINESE SOVIET DOLLARS


After broke down the association with Kuomintung in mid-1927,the Chinese Communist Party set up armed forces and took control over some parts of Anhui, Fukien, Hunan, Hupeh, Kiangsi and Szechuen until the Long March of 1934 ( to Shensi ).
In Communist control areas they established their own banks issused a quantity of copper and silver coins as well as banknotes. ( including many YSK yr.3 and Memento-Y#318a.1 dollars in order to circulated in KMT controlled area for buying supplies they need. ) The production of silver coins started from 1931 and ceased in 1935. In general, all Communist issuses were crudely made and most of them arerare. Today they are known as " Revolutionary Base Currencies " in China. The Communist currencies were illegal in Nationalist Nanking Goverment territories. Most collectors never had seen a genuine one, even they got one, they won't show to other person easily. This make a good chance for forgers.


Common Yuan Shih Kai Dollars
or
More about Yuan Shih Kai Silver Dollar


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Any additional comment would be much appreciated, you can send it to Y K Leung.









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