Kiangnan / Chihli Province Dragon Dollar (Ku-Yuan / 7 Mace and 2 Candareens)

China (Imperial / Qing Dynasty) · 1896-1908 (Various years)

A traditional Chinese imperial silver dollar featuring a central coiled dragon surrounded by clouds on one side and Manchu-Chinese characters within a beaded circle on the other.

Country: China (Imperial / Qing Dynasty)
Year: 1896-1908 (Various years)
Denomination: 7 Mace and 2 Candareens (1 Dollar)
Metal: Silver (approx. 0.900 fineness)
Grade: About Uncirculated to Mint State (cleaned or toned)

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 23, 2026More china (imperial / qing dynasty) coins →

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Overview

A traditional Chinese imperial silver dollar featuring a central coiled dragon surrounded by clouds on one side and Manchu-Chinese characters within a beaded circle on the other.

Historical significance

Issued during the late Qing Dynasty when various Chinese provinces began minting their own western-style machine-struck silver dollars to compete with foreign trade dollars circulating in the region.

Obverse (front)

Features a front-facing or winding imperial dragon surrounded by English legends reading 'CHIH-LI PROVINCE' and the denomination '7 MACE AND 2 CANDAREENS'.

Reverse (back)

Features Chinese characters 'Guang Xu Yuan Bao' with Manchu script in the center, surrounded by provincial inscriptions and decorative rosettes.

Estimated value

$300 - $3,000+ depending on exact year, province, and grade

What drives this coin's value

Condition, original surface preservation, specific reign year, die variety, and absence of cleaning or edge damage

Grade assessment

About Uncirculated to Mint State (cleaned or toned)

Mintage & rarity

Varies significantly by specific year and variety; generally scarce to rare, especially in high grades

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Due to high demand and value, counterfeit Chinese dragon dollars are extremely common. Check weight, dimensions, specific gravity, and magnetic properties. Look for unnatural casting bubbles or incorrect character styles.

Notable varieties & errors

Numerous die varieties exist based on the number of flame wisps on the dragon, dot placements, and slight variations in the Chinese characters.

Similar coins

Other Chinese provincial dragon dollars from provinces such as Kwangtung, Feng-tien, and Yunnan

Care & preservation

Store in a stable environment with low humidity using inert holders like PVC-free flips or slabs. Never clean, polish, or touch the coin with bare fingers.