China Kiangnan (Kiang-Nan) 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents and 1 dollar (Fakes are possible) 1898 to 1901

Chinese dragon coins are enjoying strong popularity with collectors and that makes their value high. Counterfeits, however, put a huge damper on enthusiasm about Chinese coins. Conversion of the monetary units goes like this:

3.6 candareens = 5 cents
7.2 candareens = 10 cents
1 mace and 4.4 candareens = 20 cents
3 mace and 6 candareens = 50 cents
7 mace and 2 candareens = 1 dollar

It is difficult to put accurate values on these coins for three reasons. First, Chinese collecting is in its infancy and the catalogers are playing catch up with market trends. This makes catalog values inaccurate. Second, there are numerous subtle differences from coin to coin, and sometimes those differences can easily double a coin's value. Third, and most important, is that fake Chinese coins flood the market. At the bottom of this page you can see a side-by-side comparison of a real and fake Kiang Nan dollar. The discrepancies between real and fake are easy to see with a side-by-side look, but difficult if you don't have a known genuine piece to compare to.

We heartily recommend owners of such coins seek out reliable collectors and dealers to evaluate their holdings. The listing below is not accurate, but a best guess at approximate values.

5 CENTS (3.6 candareens)
worn: $10
average circulated: $80
well preserved: $140
fully uncirculated: $300

10 CENTS (7.2 candareens)
worn: $5
average circulated: $20
well preserved: $40
fully uncirculated: $100

20 CENTS (1 mace and 4.4 candareens)
worn: $20
average circulated: $40
well preserved: $100
fully uncirculated: $200

50 CENTS (3 mace and 6 candareens)
worn: $60
average circulated: $150
well preserved: $400
fully uncirculated: $1000

1 DOLLAR (7 mace and 2 candareens)
worn: $200
average circulated: $300
well preserved: $600
fully uncirculated: $1800

Apply the concepts on our Terminology page to convert the catalog values above to actual values.

CoinQuest thanks Stack's Bowers for use of the photo of the real coin. It is an amazing piece that sold for $10000 US dollars in a 2011 auction.
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