How to Identify the Xuantong Yuanbao 7 Mace 2 Candareens
A collector's walkthrough for confirming a Xuantong-era silver dragon dollar by its 宣統元寶 legend, dragon reverse, size, weight, and mint markings.
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Begin with the legends. The obverse should carry the four characters 宣統元寶 (Xuantong Yuanbao), which name the Xuantong reign of 1909-1911. The reverse should show a Chinese dragon, usually a single coiled dragon amid clouds. This legend-and-dragon pairing is the core diagnostic that places a coin in the late Qing dragon-dollar tradition rather than the Republican coinage that followed.
Confirm the denomination and metal. Look for the value expressed as 7 mace 2 candareens or the Chinese 七錢二分, often near the dragon or in an English or romanized rim legend. At this weight the coin is a silver dollar-size piece: broad, heavy, and bright-white to grey-toned. A small, light, or lower-value coin with the same 宣統元寶 legend is one of the fractional denominations, not the dollar.
Read the surrounding inscriptions for the issuing authority. Many Xuantong dollars name a province or central authority in Chinese, and some carry English or Manchu script around the rim. The exact dragon style, the arrangement of characters, and any provincial name are what separate one specific issue from another, so record these details rather than relying on the shared reign legend alone.
Watch for look-alikes and later coinage. Do not confuse Xuantong pieces with the many other Chinese dragon dollars of the earlier Guangxu reign (光緒元寶), which share the same format but a different reign name, or with Republican-era dollars that dropped the imperial legend and dragon entirely. The reign characters are the deciding factor.
Authenticate with real caution. Chinese silver dragon dollars are among the most heavily counterfeited coins in the world, with countless cast and struck fakes, wrong-weight pieces, and altered dates. Check that the diameter, weight, and silver appearance match a genuine dollar-size coin, be suspicious of soft cast detail, seams, or off metal, and for any coin of value obtain certification from a reputable third-party grading service before buying or assigning a price.
Frequently asked questions
How do I tell a Xuantong dollar from a Guangxu dragon dollar?
Read the reign characters on the obverse. A Xuantong piece reads 宣統元寶, while the very similar Guangxu dragon dollars read 光緒元寶. The dragon layout can look almost identical, so the reign name is the deciding difference.
My coin has the 宣統元寶 legend but is small and light. Is it the dollar?
Probably not. The 7 mace 2 candareens is a full dollar-size silver coin. Smaller, lighter Xuantong coins with the same legend are fractional denominations, so check the diameter, weight, and stated value.
Are these coins often faked?
Yes, heavily. Chinese dragon dollars are among the most counterfeited world coins. Verify weight, diameter, and silver characteristics, watch for cast seams or soft detail, and get third-party authentication for anything valuable.
What details identify the specific mint or variety?
Look for a provincial or authority name in the legends, the exact dragon style, and any English or Manchu script around the rim. These distinguish one Xuantong issue from another and strongly affect scarcity and value.