How to Identify the Junk Dollar
A collector's checklist for the Chinese silver dollar: Sun Yat-sen's bust, the junk reverse, reading the year, and spotting the many fakes.
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Start with the two defining images. The obverse must show a left-facing bust of Sun Yat-sen; the reverse must show a Chinese junk sailing under sail across water. If either device is absent, the coin is a different Chinese dollar (for example a Yuan Shikai 'Fatman' dollar, which shows a right-facing military bust and no ship).
Next, read the date characters. The obverse legend begins 中華民國 (Republic of China) followed by the regnal year. 二十三年 is Year 23 = 1934 (the pictured coin), 二十二年 is Year 22 = 1933, and 二十一年 is Year 21 = 1932. The 1932 issue is set apart by a sun and three flying birds above the junk; on the 1933 and 1934 coins the ship appears alone. Getting the year right is the single most important identification step because it drives both variety and value.
Check the physical specs as a screen against fakes and wrong attributions. Expect a crown-size silver coin close to 26.7 g and 39 mm with a reeded edge, in roughly 0.880-fine silver. A coin that is noticeably light, magnetic, off-color, or the wrong diameter is a red flag. A specific-gravity or careful weight-and-measure check quickly exposes base-metal copies.
Be aware of look-alikes and mules. Contemporary and modern replicas abound, and some pieces pair mismatched dies or restrike the type. The reverse denomination should read 壹圓 (one yuan); note the ship's orientation and the treatment of the water and sky against known genuine examples of the same date.
Apply firm authentication caution: the Junk Dollar is among the most counterfeited world coins, so surface, luster, edge reeding, and character detail all deserve scrutiny. For any coin beyond low-grade bullion value, favor examples certified by a reputable third-party grading service and compare against documented genuine pieces before buying.
Frequently asked questions
How do I tell a Junk Dollar from a 'Fatman' dollar?
The Junk Dollar shows Sun Yat-sen facing left with a sailing junk on the reverse. The Yuan Shikai 'Fatman' dollar shows a right-facing bust of a mustached man in military uniform and has no ship. The reverse design is the quickest tell.
How do I read the year on the coin?
Find the Chinese characters after 中華民國 (Republic of China). 二十一年 is 1932, 二十二年 is 1933, and 二十三年 is 1934. Add 1911 to the Republic year to get the Western date. The pictured coin reads Year 23, or 1934.
What quick checks help spot a counterfeit?
Verify weight near 26.7 g and diameter near 39 mm, confirm the coin is non-magnetic and shows proper silver color, and inspect the reeded edge and sharpness of the Chinese characters. A specific-gravity test catches many base-metal fakes; certification is best for valuable coins.
Does the sun-and-birds version matter?
Yes. The sun and three birds above the junk appear only on the Year 21 (1932) issue, which is scarcer and more valuable. On the 1933 and 1934 coins the ship is shown alone, so their presence or absence helps confirm both the date and the variety.