History of the Chinese Fatman Dollar (Yuan Shikai)
The Yuan Shikai dollar — universally nicknamed the "Fatman dollar" for the general-president’s portly profile — was the workhorse silver coin of Republican China. Struck in enormous quantities from 1914 (Year 3 of the Republic) at mints across the country, it standardized China’s chaotic silver currency.
Genuine examples are common and trade modestly above silver value, but this is the single most counterfeited crown-size coin on earth: entire industries produce fakes ranging from crude castings to deceptive high-silver copies. Rare varieties — signature issues, provincial mint marks, overdates — bring thousands when authenticated.
The Fatman dollar was struck from 1914 onward, dated Year 3, 8, 9 and 10 in 89% silver. Each coin weighs 26.4 grams. Production took place at multiple provincial mints of the Chinese Republic.
How much is a Fatman dollar worth?
Prices for the Fatman dollar move with the collector market and with the price of precious metals. Use the ranges below as a starting point for problem-free examples, not as a guarantee.
Printed price guides age quickly. The most honest benchmark is what comparable coins actually sold for, which is why CoinVault Pro shows live values built on Numista catalog data and real eBay sold results whenever it identifies a coin.
- Genuine common years, VF: $150–$250
- Genuine XF–AU: $250–$450
- Uncirculated: $500–$1,000+
- Rare varieties (L. Giorgi signature...): $5,000+
How to identify a genuine Chinese Fatman Dollar (Yuan Shikai)
Before you get excited about a potential find, confirm that the coin in your hand matches the genuine article. Work through this checklist:
When a coin fails any of these checks, treat it with suspicion. Modern counterfeits can be convincing at arm's length, but weight, dimensions and die details rarely lie.
- Weight must be 26.4 grams with a clear ring — but sophisticated fakes pass casual tests, so certification is standard for this series.
- The majority of raw Fatman dollars offered online, at flea markets and in tourist shops are counterfeit.
- Check the die axis and denticle details against certified reference photos.
- NGC and PCGS both operate in the Chinese market and certify these coins routinely.
Check your Fatman dollar with CoinVault Pro
The fastest way to find out what you have is to photograph the coin with CoinVault Pro. The app identifies it using Gemini AI combined with Coin-CLIP image matching, estimates a grade on the full Sheldon 1–70 scale, and shows live market values built on Numista catalog data and real eBay sold prices.
From there you can add the coin to your collection, track its value over time, put upgrades on your wishlist, or list it on the in-app marketplace with escrow protection. The app is free to download on iOS and Android.