NGC Now Recognizes Triangle in “Yuan” Reverse Varieties of China 1914 Dollars

The Year 3 (1914) Yuan Shikai dollar (the so-called “Fatman Dollar”) has dozens of popular varieties that interest collectors. This is due to many factors – it was produced at many mints and was restruck in 1949 (again at many mints). A distinguishing factor between the 1949 restrikes and that of the original 1914 strikes is that, on the reverse of the coin, the Chinese character “Yuan” is either open or closed off to look like a triangle. The closed triangle version of the character is known to be a feature solely seen on the restrike issues of 1949.

1914 Dollar "Normal" Yuan Click image to enlarge

The Year 3 (1914) dollars also feature several sub-varieties besides the main “triangle” variety. Like some of the original Year 3 (1914) dollars, some of the 1949 restrike coins also have a circlet inside the left ribbon of the bow on the reverse. These were done at a branch mint and today are prized by collectors whether or not the “Yuan” symbol is the closed-off triangle variety.

Additionally, the coin can often be found with a variety where the stars on the badge of Yuan Shikai have been re-cut. Finally, there is also another popular variety where the coin features much bolder leaves and larger Chinese characters on the reverse.

The following varieties are now recognized by NGC:

1914 Triangle in Yuan

1914 Triangle in Yuan; Closeup of Triangle in Yuan (right) Click images to enlarge.

1914 Triangle in Yuan Recut Stars

1914 Triangle in Yuan Circlet in Ribbon

Circlet in Ribbon Normal Yuan (left); Circlet in Ribbon Triangle in Yuan (right) Click images to enlarge.

1914 Triangle in Yuan Bold Leaves

1914 Triangle in Yuan Bold Leaves (left); Normal (right) Click image to enlarge.