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1 Yuan 'Fat Man dollar', seven characters
| Issuer | Republic of China |
|---|---|
| Year | 1919-1921 |
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| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
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| Obverse description | Left-facing effigy of Yuan Shikai in military uniform, rendered in high relief with naturalistic modelling of the facial features, including a distinctive moustache; the portrait is notably fuller and rounder than earlier issues, giving rise to the popular collector designation 'Fat Man dollar'. A decorative epaulette with floral ornament is visible at the truncation. Seven Chinese characters arc around the upper field, reading from right to left, giving the date as Year 10 of the Republic of China. The coin is bordered by a continuous milled rim. |
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| Reverse description | Central field bears two large Chinese characters, 壹圓 (One Yuan), stacked vertically and rendered in bold strokes within an open field. The denomination is framed by a wreath composed of two symmetrical branches of stylised foliate sprays, tied at the base with a ribbon bow. The wreath is rendered in fine relief with detailed leaf and stem work. The entire design is contained within a milled border. |
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| Additional information |
The "Fat Man dollar" — so called for the rotund figure struck on the obverse — was among the last major silver yuan issues of the early Republic, produced at a moment when warlordism had fragmented central authority so thoroughly that currency credibility depended almost entirely on silver content rather than issuing institution. The seven-character reverse variety distinguishes this from related types in the series and is the reading cataloged under Y#329.6.
Genuine pieces were extensively counterfeited during the circulation period, and cast fakes remain common in the market today.