How Much Is A Chinese Fatman Dollar (Yuan Shikai) Worth?
Values for the Fatman dollar run from about $150–$250 (Genuine common years, VF) to $5,000+ (Rare varieties (L. Giorgi signature...)). Here is what separates the bottom of that range from the top — and how to find out where your coin lands.
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. AI Coin Collector gives you a starting point: the Numista catalogue price per grade, from VG to UNC, 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 AI Coin Collector
The fastest way to find out what you have is to photograph the coin with AI Coin Collector. Our own AI vision model suggests what it is (you check and adjust the suggestion), the app estimates a grade on the Sheldon 1–70 scale, and shows the Numista catalogue price per grade.
From there you can add the coin to a collection, see the collection’s total value and export it to CSV. The app is free to start and comes to Android first.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a Fatman dollar worth?
Broadly, examples at the bottom of the market (Genuine common years, VF) trade around $150–$250, while the strongest pieces (Rare varieties (L. Giorgi signature...)) bring $5,000+. Grade, rarity and eye appeal decide where a specific coin lands, and problem-free coins always bring the best prices.
How can I tell if my Fatman dollar is genuine?
Start with the physical basics: weight must be 26.4 grams with a clear ring — but sophisticated fakes pass casual tests, so certification is standard for this series. Counterfeits usually fail on weight, dimensions or fine die details, so compare your coin against verified reference photos before paying a premium.
Can an app identify and value my Fatman dollar?
Yes. AI Coin Collector suggests an identification from a single photo using our own AI vision model — you check and adjust it — estimates a Sheldon grade from 1 to 70, and shows the Numista catalogue price per grade.