How to Identify the Sun Yat-sen 'Memento' 1 Dollar (1927)

What It Is

This silver dollar honors Dr. Sun Yat-sen, founder of the Republic of China, and is commonly called the "Memento" dollar because its Chinese inscription commemorates the founding of the Republic. It circulated widely in China during the early 20th century and is one of the most commonly encountered Republic-era dollars. The type replaced the older dragon dollar imagery associated with the fallen Qing dynasty, reflecting the new government's desire to put a republican, rather than imperial, symbol into everyday circulation.

Obverse Design & Inscriptions

The obverse shows a left-facing bust of Sun Yat-sen dressed in a Western-style suit and tie. Chinese characters arranged around the rim translate roughly to "Commemorative Coin of the Founding of the Republic of China."

Reverse Design & Inscriptions

The reverse depicts two crossed flags tied together with a ribbon bow — the five-color Republic flag and the Nationalist party's Blue Sky, White Sun flag. At the center, the denomination appears in Chinese characters meaning "one dollar," often within a simple wreath or floral border.

Size, Weight, Metal & Edge

It is a standard silver dollar, approximately 39mm in diameter and about 26.7 grams, with fineness typically around .720. The edge is reeded.

Mint Marks & Where to Find Them

This widely produced type does not carry a standardized mint-mark letter, since it was struck at multiple mints across China. Identification relies on the portrait style, legend wording, and reverse flag design rather than a discrete mint symbol. Minor differences in the exact positioning of the bust, the spacing of the surrounding legend, and the styling of the ribbon knot are cataloged by specialists as distinct die varieties within this broad type.

Telling It Apart from Similar Coins

Distinguish this "Memento" dollar from other Sun Yat-sen dollar types — such as the later 1930s junk-boat reverse dollar — by its crossed-flags reverse design. It also differs from provincial Sun Yat-sen or Kwangtung-issue dollars in overall diameter and inscription wording.

Judging Condition at a Glance

Check the fine strands of hair and the lapel folds on Sun Yat-sen's bust, along with the ribbon knot on the reverse; these raised details wear down first and give a quick sense of circulation grade. Also examine the wreath or floral border framing the denomination, since crisp, well-separated petals or leaves usually indicate a lightly worn example, while a flattened, indistinct border points to heavier circulation.

Authenticity Red Flags

Because this is a common and widely collected type, it has also been extensively counterfeited and restruck. Verify correct weight and diameter, check that the reeded edge is evenly spaced, and look closely at portrait sharpness; cast fakes often show a seam line around the edge and a dull, matte surface rather than genuine mint luster.