1 Yuan Pattern, proposed 'Fat Man dollar'

The "Fat Man dollar" was a proposed national coinage commissioned by Yuan Shikai's government in 1914 as part of his broader effort to consolidate financial authority following the collapse of the Qing dynasty. The design was rejected before regular issue, reportedly because the portrait was deemed unflattering — Yuan himself objected to the depiction. What went into production instead was the slimmer, more dignified portrait now known to collectors simply as the Yuan Shikai dollar.

Pattern status means surviving examples were never submitted to the rigors of commerce. Kann's census and subsequent auction appearances confirm genuine pieces are exceptionally rare, with most examples traceable to a handful of known collections.