Kwangtung Province 7 Mace and 2 Candareens (Dragon Dollar)

China (Kwangtung Province) · 1890-1908

A classic Chinese imperial silver dragon dollar featuring a coiled frontal dragon surrounded by clouds on one side and Manchu-Chinese inscriptions with English marginal legends on the other.

Country: China (Kwangtung Province)
Year: 1890-1908
Denomination: 7 Mace and 2 Candareens (1 Dollar)
Metal: 0.900 Silver, 0.100 Copper

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 (kwangtung province) coins →

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Overview

A classic Chinese imperial silver dragon dollar featuring a coiled frontal dragon surrounded by clouds on one side and Manchu-Chinese inscriptions with English marginal legends on the other.

Historical significance

Struck during the Guangxu Emperor's reign, these dragon dollars were among the first modern machine-struck silver coins produced in China, intended to replace foreign trade silver dollars like the Mexican 8 Real.

Obverse (front)

Features a coiled frontal-facing imperial dragon surrounded by clouds and flames, with Chinese characters for 'Kwangtung Province' at the top and the denomination '7 Mace and 2 Candareens' at the bottom, flanked by rosette symbols.

Reverse (back)

Features the Chinese characters 'Guang Xu Yuan Bao' arranged around a central Manchu script inscription, surrounded by an inner beaded circle and English legends 'KWANG-TUNG PROVINCE' and '7 MACE AND 2 CANDAREENS' separated by rosettes.

Estimated value

$100-$500 for circulated examples; $1,000-$5,000+ for high-grade Mint State specimens depending on specific year and variety

What drives this coin's value

Overall state of preservation, presence of original mint luster, absence of cleaning or environmental damage, and specific year of issue.

Grade assessment

About Uncirculated (AU) with light friction on high points and remaining original mint luster

Mintage & rarity

Varies significantly by year; generally scarce to rare depending on the specific issue, with many surviving examples being heavily worn or cleaned.

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Check weight and dimensions precisely. Inspect for casting bubbles, incorrect lettering fonts, magnetic properties (should be non-magnetic), and compare edge reeding with known genuine specimens. Many modern counterfeits exist.

Notable varieties & errors

Various character spacings, dot placements, and subtle dragon design variations across different dies and year groups.

Similar coins

Other Chinese provincial dragon dollars from provinces such as Kiangnan, Peiyang, Sichuan, and Yunnan.

Care & preservation

Store in a stable, low-humidity environment using PVC-free holders. Never clean, polish, or wipe the coin, as this permanently damages the surface and severely reduces its numismatic value.