Yuan Shikai 'Fatman' Dollar (1914)

The Yuan Shikai dollar, universally nicknamed the fat man dollar among collectors, is among the most common historic Chinese silver dollars in existence, having been struck in enormous quantities to unify China's currency in the early Republican period. Its familiarity and affordability have made it a favorite starting point for collectors of Chinese numismatics.

Despite its abundance, the coin remains historically significant as a milestone in China's move toward a standardized national currency.

Yuan Shikai, a powerful general who became the first formal President of the Republic of China after the fall of the Qing dynasty, ordered a standardized national silver dollar in 1914 as part of an effort to bring order to China's chaotic mix of provincial and foreign coinage.

Bearing his own portrait, the coin continued to be struck in large numbers at mints across the country for years after its initial 1914 date, even following Yuan's brief and unpopular attempt to declare himself emperor and his death in 1916.

The obverse shows a right-facing portrait bust of Yuan Shikai in military uniform with a plumed hat, surrounded by Chinese characters naming the Republic of China and giving the date, expressed as year 3 of the republic, corresponding to 1914.

The reverse depicts the denomination "ONE DOLLAR" within a wreath of grain stalks, with occasional small design differences, such as the shape of the letter O in dollar, distinguishing minor varieties tracked by specialists.

Because so many millions were struck over several years, most Yuan Shikai dollars are inexpensive and easy to find in worn to moderate grades, making them a popular entry-level Chinese coin.

Sharp, high-grade uncirculated examples and certain scarcer die varieties, however, can be considerably more valuable, so condition and variety matter more to value than the basic rarity of the type itself.