Xuantong Year 3 Silver Dollar (Dragon Dollar)

China (Empire / Qing Dynasty) · 1911 (Xuantong Year 3)

A classic Chinese silver dollar featuring Manchu and Chinese inscriptions on the obverse and a majestic coiled dragon encircling the denomination on the reverse.

Country: China (Empire / Qing Dynasty)
Year: 1911 (Xuantong Year 3)
Denomination: One Dollar (Yi Yuan)
Metal: Silver (.900 fine)
Grade: About Uncirculated to Mint State (subject to professional third-party grading)

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 (empire / qing dynasty) coins →

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Overview

A classic Chinese silver dollar featuring Manchu and Chinese inscriptions on the obverse and a majestic coiled dragon encircling the denomination on the reverse.

Historical significance

Issued during the final year of the Qing Dynasty under Emperor Xuantong (Puyi) just before the 1911 Revolution that established the Republic of China, making it an iconic piece of late imperial Chinese numismatics.

Obverse (front)

Features Chinese characters '大清銀幣' (Silver Coin of the Great Qing) in the center, surrounded by Manchu script above, floral ornaments on the sides, and '宣統三年' (Year 3 of Xuantong) at the bottom.

Reverse (back)

Features a detailed coiled dragon surrounded by clouds with a flaming pearl at the bottom, with the denomination '壹圓' (One Dollar) in the center and 'ONE DOLLAR' at the bottom.

Estimated value

$300-$1,500+ depending on grade, variety, and certification authenticity

What drives this coin's value

Surface preservation, strike sharpness, absence of cleaning or environmental damage, and verification against known die varieties and counterfeits

Grade assessment

About Uncirculated to Mint State (subject to professional third-party grading)

Mintage & rarity

Scarce to rare depending on the specific variety, survival rate, and grade, with many counterfeits present in the market

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Check weight, diameter, and magnetic properties. Inspect fine details of the dragon scales, clouds, and lettering for casting bubbles, mushy details, or incorrect alloy composition common in counterfeits.

Notable varieties & errors

Various ribbon, cloud, and flame die varieties exist, along with scarce proof strikings and pattern issues

Similar coins

Kiangnan, Kwangtung, and other provincial dragon dollars, as well as Republic-era Yuan Shikai 'Fat Man' dollars

Care & preservation

Store in a stable, low-humidity environment within a certified archival slab or inert coin flip. Never clean, polish, or touch the coin's surfaces with bare hands.