1921 China Yuan “Fatman” Dollar – NGC XF Details | Warlord-Era Silver Coin
The 1921 China Fatman Dollar is one of the most widely recognized and collected silver coins of early 20th-century Chinese numismatics. Featuring the portrait of Yuan Shih-kai, the self-proclaimed emperor and military strongman, this coin is a hallmark of the tumultuous warlord era that followed the fall of the Qing dynasty.
Certified NGC XF Details, this particular piece offers a rich patina and excellent overall detail, making it an attractive and affordable option for collectors pursuing circulated, yet historic, examples of this iconic silver coin.
🔗 Click here to view or acquire the 1921 China Fatman Dollar – NGC XF Details
🏛️ Historical Context: China’s Struggle for Identity
After the abdication of the last Qing emperor in 1912, China plunged into political instability. In the power vacuum, Yuan Shih-kai rose as a dominant military figure and briefly declared himself emperor in 1915. While his imperial ambitions failed, his influence lingered—especially on coinage.
The “Fatman” silver dollar, named for Yuan’s portly portrait, became China’s most commonly circulated silver coin during the early Republic. Its wide distribution, familiar design, and heavy silver content made it the de facto standard across the country.
📌 Coin Specifications
- Country: Republic of China
- Year: 1921
- Type: Dollar (Yuan)
- Portrait: Yuan Shih-kai
- Metal: Silver (.890 fine)
- Weight: 26.6 grams
- Diameter: 39 mm
- Mint: Tianjin Mint (commonly attributed)
- Grade: NGC XF Details (Environmental Damage)
- Obverse: Left-facing bust of Yuan Shih-kai
- Reverse: Denomination in Chinese characters, wreath and crossed flags
💎 Why the 1921 China Fatman Dollar Stands Out
This coin holds massive historical and collectible significance. Despite its flaws—graded XF Details due to environmental effects—this piece retains strong design features, natural toning, and authentic field history that appeals to real-world collectors.
Collectors favor the 1921 issue for several reasons:
- It’s one of the final years of the Yuan dollar design before regional warlords altered coinage
- Fatman dollars have global collector recognition, often serving as an entry point into Chinese numismatics
- It represents a critical turning point in Chinese political history
- Its substantial silver content makes it appealing to both collectors and investors
This particular example shows light circulation wear with visible legends and full facial details, making it a strong XF Details example despite its minor flaw designation.
🌍 Who Collects the 1921 Fatman Dollar?
This coin appeals to:
- Chinese coin collectors building type sets
- Historians interested in Republican-era China
- Investors seeking semi-numismatic silver holdings
- Error and details-grade collectors seeking budget-friendly options
- Worldwide collectors of portrait silver coins
Because of its cross-market demand, the 1921 China Fatman Dollar remains an expensive and highly desirable piece even with detail-grade certification.
📈 Investment & Market Insights
Chinese coinage has seen explosive growth in global numismatic markets. As collectors worldwide seek early Republican-era pieces, coins like the 1921 Fatman Dollar continue to command strong prices—even in details grades.
Certified examples like this one offer:
- Authentication and protection by NGC
- Affordable entry into high-demand series
- Historic value tied to a key political figure
As global interest in early Chinese coinage continues to rise, examples with decent eye appeal—even in XF Details—are finding a strong audience.
🔚 Final Thoughts
The 1921 China Fatman Dollar is more than a silver coin—it’s a portrait of China’s chaotic transformation in the early 20th century. Featuring Yuan Shih-kai, this coin’s enduring popularity spans borders and markets, and remains a cornerstone of any serious Chinese coin collection.
Certified by NGC as XF Details, this piece provides excellent value, authentic history, and collectible aesthetics all in one.
🔗 Click here to view or acquire the 1921 China Fatman Dollar – NGC XF Details