Guangxu Yuanbao

<p>This silver coin, the Guangxu Yuanbao minted by Jiangnan Province with a denomination of 7 mace and 2 candareens, belongs to the "Jiangnan Province" series (a virtual province in late Qing dynasty coinage, as Jiangnan had already been abolished). This piece is from the early "no-year-mark" period (before year marks were added to later Jiangnan dragon coins), with a surviving quantity only 1/5 that of the dated versions. Additionally, the hidden "Yi-Si" (乙巳) mark beside the inscription "Guangxu Yuanbao" identifies it as a rare variant of the Southern Dragon coin, further enhancing its scarcity. Such marked variants account for less than 3% of circulating specimens.</p>