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Various Silver Coins: Yunnan Province Fu Character One Tael Pure Silver Cash - Silver Dollar Free Appraisal and buyback | Hong Kang Trading
Various Silver Coins: Yunnan Province Fu Character One Tael Pure Silver Cash - Silver Dollar Free Appraisal and buyback | Hong Kang Trading
Detailed Specifications and Versions of Fu-word One Tael / Half Tael Silver Coins
The Fu-word silver coin (colloquially known as "Yunnan Fu-word brand" or "Fu-word silver cake") differs from common Yuan Shikai dollars or Dragon dollars in that its weight is measured in "tael", making it feel heavier. To help you better understand your collection, we have compiled a comparison table of the main specifications for Fu-word silver coins. If your silver coin matches the data below, there is a higher probability that it is an authentic piece.
Fu-word Genuine Silver Specification Parameters Comparison Table
| Feature Item | Fu-word One Tael (Genuine Silver One Tael) | Fu-word Half Tael (Genuine Silver Half Tael) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denomination Text | Obverse: Fu-word / Reverse: Portrait and Text | Obverse: Fu-word / Reverse: Portrait and Text | Text styles vary slightly in some versions |
| Standard Weight | Approx. 37.0g - 37.5g | Approx. 18.5g - 18.8g | Fu-word one tael is much heavier than a typical 7 mace 2 candareen silver dollar (approx. 26.7g) |
| Diameter Size | Approx. 40mm - 42mm | Approx. 33mm - 34mm | Cruder minting process, larger diameter tolerance |
| Coin Thickness | Approx. 3.0mm - 3.5mm | Approx. 2.5mm | Thicker body, most edges without reeding |
| Fineness (Silver Content) | Approx. 98% - 99% | Approx. 98% - 99% | Extremely high fineness, soft silver, dull sound |
| Common Versions | French version, Local version | French version, Local version | French version is more finely minted, with clear character strokes |
Expert Tip: When customers ask about "authenticating Fu-word one tael," the first step is to weigh it. Because Fu-word coins have a high silver content and are thick, if the weight is less than 36 grams, it is highly likely to be a later imitation or a low-quality replica with insufficient silver content.
How to Evaluate the Value of Your Silver Coin? These Factors Directly Affect the Transaction Price
When Hong Kang Tradingkong Co. conducts free appraisal and buyback of silver dollars, in addition to authenticity, the preservation status (condition) of the silver coin is the core factor determining the final buyback price. Fu-word silver coins circulated in border regions and during periods of war, making perfect conditions relatively rare.
Silver Coin Condition Grading and Price Impact Factors
| Evaluation Dimension | Description and Recommendation | Impact on Price |
|---|---|---|
| Original Patina | Natural discoloration (black, iridescent, golden-brown sheen) formed on the coin surface due to oxidation over time. Do NOT clean! | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Extremely High) |
| Striking Details | Are the strokes of the "Fu" character deep and sharp? Are the Burmese text and patterns on the reverse clear and full? | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (High) |
| Field Luster | Does it retain the original mint luster (cartwheel effect)? | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (High) |
| Scratches and Wear | Are there chopmarks, scratches, or severe dents on the coin surface? | ⭐⭐⭐ (Medium) |
| Rarity of Version | Some special versions (e.g., specific font styles) have fewer surviving examples in the market. | ⭐⭐⭐ (Medium) |
️ Fu-word One Tael Authenticity Authentication: Three Key Observation Points
If you own such silver cakes, you can perform an initial self-check using the following features. If you are unsure, feel free to contact us directly for online image appraisal.
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Examine the brushstrokes of the "Fu" character: On genuine pieces, the Chinese character "Fu" is written powerfully, with natural transitions in its strokes, devoid of a stiff, mechanical feel. The die pressure is sufficient, resulting in deep and sharp characters.
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Listen to the sound to identify the silver quality: Unlike the crisp sound of a Yuan Shikai dollar, the Fu-word one tael, due to its high fineness (almost pure silver) and thick body, produces a dull, short sound when tapped. This is characteristic of high-silver content silver cakes.
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Observe the edges and pores: Genuine pieces are mostly pressure-molded, but due to manufacturing limitations, the edges may exhibit natural flow lines or subtle pores. These are characteristics of old silver dollars, rather than the perfectly smooth edges of modern laser-minted coins.
Hong Kong Gold & Silver Exchange currently offers a buyback service specifically for the Fu-word one tael genuine silver coins circulating in Yunnan Province. This silver cake was not a "coin" in the true sense, but rather was produced by the French in Hanoi, Vietnam, during World War II. Its purpose was to purchase opium from farmers in the mountain tribes of the Indochina Peninsula. At that time, the region was governed by the French Vichy government, which implemented a public opium trade system, with revenue accounting for one-quarter of its annual income. In the past, merchants primarily used silver coins as a means of payment, but the French Indochina Piastre (known as the "seated liberty" dollar), which served as the main currency, had ceased production after 1928, and the supply of silver coins gradually diminished. The outbreak of World War II further exacerbated this shortage. However, tribal villagers refused to accept banknotes or other non-silver currencies, so the colonial government resorted to melting down various collected silver articles and shaping them into coin-like silver cakes for opium dealers to use in transactions. These mountain residents would then melt them down again to create silver ornaments popular among locals or cast them into silver bars for storage.
After World War II, the northern part of Indochina was taken over by troops led by Lu Han, then governor of Yunnan Province. During the trusteeship period, this notorious garrison "looted" a large amount of wealth, including much opium and silver dollars. Upon their withdrawal in 1946, these items were all brought back to Yunnan. Later, during the fierce civil war between the Nationalists and Communists, with provinces facing economic hardship, these "war spoils" were sold or used to pay military salaries. Some also flowed out as people sought refuge, with the Hong Kong coin market being the first place where Fu-word silver coins appeared. Naturally, these coin dealers and collectors assumed that this "silver coin" originated in Yunnan and mistakenly believed the text on it to be Burmese. Thus, they were regarded as "Yunnan-Burma border silver coins."
Hong Kong Gold & Silver Exchange now officially offers a buyback service for such silver cakes. Interested parties are welcome to contact us.
Various silver coins: Yunnan Province Fu-word One Tael Genuine Silver Cash. For free silver dollar appraisals, you don't necessarily need to bring the physical item immediately; first, send us photos of the patina details, grading slab, and the obverse and reverse. If the information is clear, we can usually determine the acceptable price range first, then arrange an appointment at our store or for an on-site transaction.

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