NGC Now Recognizes China (1920) Hainan Dollar Variety

In 1949, the Chinese government re-issued both silver yuan notes and earlier silver dollars for circulation. The silver dollars that were re-issued include many different designs, but the Yuan Shih-Kai (the so-called “Fat Man”) issues were most prevalent. These re-issues were made in different provinces and comprise many of the distinctive varieties that are collected and have greater value within this series today.

Original China Year 9 (1920) Yuan Shih-Kai Silver Dollar Click images to enlarge.

The Year 9 (1920) Yuan Shih-Kai dollar that is considered to be from the Hainan province is believed to have been minted from dies manufactured in Guangzhou, Guangdong (Kwangtung) China. These coins, while dated Year 9 (1920), were actually produced in 1949 and circulated as regular currency until the fall of the Republic on mainland China.

(1949) China Year 9 (1920) Hainan-issue Yuan Shih-Kai Silver Dollar Click images to enlarge.

The Hainan 1949 Yuan Shih-Kai dollar is significantly different than the original Central Mint (Tianjin) issues of 1920 Yuan Shih-Kai dollar. The obverse and reverse, including the bust, wreath, and lettering, is different and can best be described as mushy, blurry, and flat. The luster of the issue is also very different–flat, not flashy.

This variety has been known by collectors for some time in China and will now be attributed by NGC automatically when received for authentication and grading.