Feng-Tien Province One Tael (Guangxu Yuanbao)

China (Fengtian / Mukden Mint) · 1903 (Year 29 of Guangxu)

A rare Chinese provincial silver coin featuring a coiled dragon surrounded by English legends on one side and Chinese calligraphy surrounding a central inscription on the other.

Country: China (Fengtian / Mukden Mint)
Year: 1903 (Year 29 of Guangxu)
Denomination: One Tael
Metal: Silver (approx. .900 fineness)

This report is AI-generated and can be wrong. Always verify grade, authenticity, and value with a qualified dealer or certified grading service before buying, selling, or insuring.

Identified August 22, 2026More china (fengtian / mukden mint) coins →

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Overview

A rare Chinese provincial silver coin featuring a coiled dragon surrounded by English legends on one side and Chinese calligraphy surrounding a central inscription on the other.

Historical significance

Struck during the late Qing Dynasty at the Fengtian Mint (modern-day Liaoning Province). The Feng-Tien One Tael is one of the most famous and rarest Chinese machine-struck dragon dollars/taels, representing a period of intense monetary experimentation before the standardization of the yuan currency.

Obverse (front)

Features a central coiled imperial dragon facing forward, surrounded by the English text 'FEN-TIEN PROVINCE' at the top and 'ONE TAEL' at the bottom, flanked by rosette symbols.

Reverse (back)

Features central Chinese characters reading 'Guangxu Yuanbao', surrounded by Manchu script and an outer ring of Chinese characters denoting the province and denomination.

Estimated value

$100,000 - $1,000,000+ (Extremely rare and heavily counterfeited; genuine specimens command massive sums at major international auction houses)

What drives this coin's value

Authenticity, original surface preservation, provenance, strike quality, and absence of cleaning, damage, or tooling.

Grade assessment

Appears to be a modern fantasy piece or counterfeit due to widespread replication of this specific rarity, though authentication by a professional grading service (PCGS/NGC) is required for definitive assessment.

Mintage & rarity

Extremely rare (Extremely few genuine specimens are known to exist; considered a legendary 'rarity' in Chinese numismatics)

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Due to its legendary rarity, the vast majority of Feng-Tien One Taels found today are modern counterfeits. Check weight, dimensions, specific gravity, and metal composition. Authentication by PCGS or NGC is essential.

Notable varieties & errors

Pattern issues and minor legend/rosette placement variations, though virtually all raw pieces encountered by collectors are contemporary counterfeits or modern replicas.

Similar coins

Other late Qing dynasty dragon taels and dollars, such as the Mukden Dollar, Kirin Tael, and the 1904 Shantung Tael.

Care & preservation

Store in a stable, climate-controlled environment in an inert holder (such as an NGC or PCGS slab). Never clean, wipe, or dip the coin, as cleaning drastically reduces numismatic value.