Chapter 9 The Majestic S$
The Guangxu silver dollar, commonly called the Guangxu Yuanbao, was used in China during the late Qing dynasty.
These approximately 12 coins are all examples of Guangxu Yuanbao. The center of each silver dollar features four traditional Chinese characters reading "Guangxu Yuanbao."
The coin has the words "Kuping seven coins and two cents" and "Beiyang made." It indicates that the coin was minted during the Guangxu era and produced by the Beiyang mint, with a denomination of 7 coins and 2 cents.
These specific inscriptions are unique to the Guangxu Yuanbao, making it possible to distinguish them from other types of silver coins.
After confirming that these ten silver dollars were Guangxu Yuanbao, Liu Yong checked on his mobile phone, focusing on getting the price.
"What!"
"So valuable!"
As Liu Yong gazed at the coins, his mouth gradually opened in amazement. He felt a bit scared because the Guangxu Yuanbao were much more valuable than the Yuan Datou he was used to seeing.
The Guangxu Yuanbao, with their high quality and purity, were considered more valuable than other forms of currency.
Their rarity and historical significance made them highly sought after by collectors, making them a valuable addition to any collection.
Liu Yong was amazed by the value of these coins.
Although the online prices are for reference only, each piece costs 300,000 to 400,000 yuan.
"Haha, this time I made a fortune."
Liu Yong carefully placed his phone down and began to organize the silver dollars. Each approximately 12 Guangxu Yuanbao coin was specially wrapped and stored separately in a cupboard. Liu Yong took great care to handle the coins gently, as they were delicate and valuable objects. He carefully placed each in to ensure they were stored safely and securely.
Tonight is going to be a restless and wakeful night for Liu Yong. He is still in awe of the Guangxu Yuanbao coins recently acquired and couldn't shake the excitement and thrill of owning such valuable items.
Throughout the night, Liu Yong had consumed with excitement and was unable to sleep.
Despite his exhaustion, he couldn't calm his mind and shake the thrill of his recent acquisition of the Guangxu Yuanbao coins. After spending most of his life l in poverty, Liu Yong suddenly found himself with a large amount of money, and the change was overwhelming.
He had filled with a sense of wonder and disbelief that he could now have wealth on par with others in his community. The excitement of his newfound financial stability kept him awake all night, unable to shake the thrill of his good fortune.
It wasn't until the middle of the night that he fell asleep in a daze.
After waking up, Liu Yong finished washing, put a dozen Guangxu Yuanbao and 100 Yuan Datou into his backpack, and went out with the bag on his back.
The next day, Liu Yong went down to Fatty Liu's breakfast shop to have his breakfast. Instead of following his usual routine of taking the bus, he decided to hail a taxi by the side of the road.
This small change in his daily routine may have been due to his newfound wealth and desire to live a more luxurious lifestyle. He had been feeling a sense of celebration after acquiring the Guangxu Yuanbao coins and wanted to treat himself to a more comfortable mode of transportation.
Whatever the reason, hailing a taxi instead of taking the bus was a departure from Liu Yong's usual routine and reflected his excitement and newfound financial stability.
"Master, go to Bayi Street."
The driver who drove the car glanced slightly but didn't ask any questions.
Bayi Street is relatively famous in Huahai City and has a good reputation nationwide.
It is an antique street.
Bayi Street, located just a few hundred meters away, has shops selling antiques.
The street has various antique shops offering different products, including calligraphy and paintings, porcelain, bronze ware, lacquer ware, and ancient coins.
However, it is difficult to determine the authenticity of these items, and a large portion of them are likely to be counterfeit. It can be challenging for collectors like Liu Yong to identify and purchase genuine antique items.
It also adds an element of excitement and adventure to the process of collecting. Regardless of the authenticity of the items sold, Bayi Street is a hub of activity for those interested in antiques and collecting.
In addition to various antique shops, many people have set up stalls on both sides of the street. There are many street stalls, and the things sold are also varied.
Liu Yong went there with his bag on his back.
Instead of browsing the street stalls, Liu Yong set his sights on a more formal antique shop.
He walked into one of the biggest shops to find high-quality antiques. The condition of the shop was more professional and established, with a greater emphasis on the authenticity and value of the items sold. Liu Yong hoped to find rare and genuine antiques to add to his collection.
As he browsed the shelves and displays, he no doubt felt a sense of excitement and anticipation, eager to discover the next addition to his collection.
After looking at it for a while, he learned what it was.
In the antique shop, Liu Yong found a wide selection of ancient coins on display behind tempered glass. The coins were well-preserved and carefully curated, showcasing the rich history of coin collecting. In addition, the shop also offered modern silver and copper coins, offering a comprehensive collection for coin enthusiasts.
Yuan Datou also put on a lot, but only a few Guangxu Yuanbao.
"Tsk tsk."
Liu Yong was secretly surprised. A Yuan Datou from the third year of the Republic of China is priced at 1580 yuan here, and a Yuan Datou from the eighth year of the Republic of China has priced at 2280 yuan.
The Guangxu Yuanbao also has a price tag depending on the appearance and release time. The price ranges from 500,000 yuan to more than one million yuan.
Seeing Liu Yong looking at these silver dollars for a long time, the guy in the store came over-enthusiastically,
"Brother, which one do you like? We have marked the price here. It is 100% guaranteed to be genuine."
Liu Yong said:
"I won't come to buy silver dollars. I have some goods on hand. I don't know if you will accept them."
"Oh."
The guys are interested. Shops like to sell all kinds of antiques but also buy antiques too.
"Brother, can you show me your stuff?"
Liu Yong nodded lightly, opened the backpack, took a few Yuan Datou from it, and put them on the counter.
The shopkeeper carefully examined the Guangxu Yuanbao coin that Liu Yong had brought with him after close inspection.
He was confident that it was authentic and not a modern reproduction. Liu Yong saw the recognition and appreciation in the shopkeeper's eyes and felt proud of his acquisition. He had a keen eye for antiques and a deep understanding of the value of his coins.
He was pleased that the shopkeeper recognized the authenticity and value of the Guangxu Yuanbao coin, confirming his instincts about the item.
"Brother, how much are you going to sell for one?"
Liu Yong asked back:
"What is your purchase price? If the price is right, I still have a lot."
"And many more!"
The guy became more interested. He originally wanted to offer 500 yuan a piece, but after thinking about it, he said,
"These are all Yuan Datou from the third year of the Republic of China. Our purchase price is 550 yuan."
Liu Yong smiled and was not angry because of the offer, but said: "Call your boss. It is a big business for me."
The guy quickly called the owner of the store. He was a thin middle-aged man wearing casual clothes and handmade shoes.
"Sir, I am Jin Chuanlin, the owner of this shop. What is your surname?"
Liu Yong said:
"Hi Boss Jin, my surname is Liu, and I have a group of Yuan Datou in my hand. In addition, there are more than a dozen Guangxu Yuanbao."
Jin Chuanlin's eyes lit up, and he was secretly happy.
Boss Jin was impressed by Liu Yong's collection and said,
"It's been a while since we've come across such a large collection. Usually, when people come to sell silver coins, they only bring a few, three, or five pieces. A dozen pieces like the Guangxu Yuanbao are rare; we last received them two or three months ago. These coins are hard to find and see sometimes only. So it's quite a rare opportunity for us to have the chance to see such an extensive collection."
Liu Yong's collection was exceptional, and Boss Jin was impressed by the size and rarity of the Guangxu Yuanbao coins. It provided a unique opportunity for the antique shop to acquire valuable items to add to their collection and offer to their customers. Liu Yong was pleased with the positive response from Boss Jin, and he was excited to discuss the details of his collection further.
Mr. Liu, it's quiet inside. Let's go inside and talk about it."
Boss Jin led Liu Yong to a private room decorated in an antique style. The room was spacious and elegant, with a large mahogany table as the centerpiece.
The table was rectangular and made from a solid piece of mahogany, which was particularly striking and added to the overall antique atmosphere of the room. It was for receiving guests and conducting business, and it was clear that Boss Jin took great pride in the appearance and atmosphere of the space.
Liu Yong was impressed with the attention to detail and overall elegance and was eager to see what other treasures the shop might offer.
"Please sit down and drink tea."
Liu Yong sat down, but he didn't drink tea. Instead, he opened his backpack and took out a hundred silver dollars and a dozen Guangxu Yuanbao.
"so much!"
Jin Chuanlin seemed a little excited in his heart. This business is a rare big deal, and he was not polite and began to look seriously.
Boss Jin first examined a few of the Yuan Datou coins, nodding in approval as he looked them over. He then turned his attention to the more than a dozen Guangxu Yuanbao, carefully examining each in detail.
Jin took his time to thoroughly assess each coin, making sure to give each one the attention it deserved. Liu Yong watched as Boss Jin handled the coins with care and precision, and he could tell that the shop owner was experienced and knowledgeable about antique coins.
It gave Liu Yong confidence in the potential sale of his collection, and he was eager to hear what Boss Jin had to say about their value and potential market value.
After looking at it for several minutes, he put down the Guangxu Yuanbao in his hand Jin Chuanlin said:
"There are 15 Guangxu Yuanbaos in total, all of which are one or two silver dollars made in 8 years. Well, these Yuan Datou, some are made in three years, some made in five years, and even a few made in eight years, I will bid 620 a piece, how about it."
"Of course, I have to bargain."
Liu Yong smiled and said:
"Boss Jin, you are worthy of being a businessman, and this price is too low. I saw the Yuan Datou and Guangxu Yuanbao you put for sale outside, and they are much higher than this price."
Jin Chuanlin quickly explained: "It's just a price tag. Customers will usually counter-offer. We can't sell the price at all."
Between the two of them, there was some bargaining.
In the end, Liu Yong said,
"Boss Jin, each piece of Yuan Datou is unified at 680 yuan, and each piece of Guangxu Yuanbao is 400,000 yuan. If this business is accepted, we will have the opportunity to continue. I still have a lot of money."
"Really?"
Jin Chuanlin was a little moved. In addition to selling all kinds of antiques, the purchase channel is also critical for them to open this shop.
Boss Jin said,
"If we have a stable source for purchasing various silver dollars, that would be the best situation for us. If we have a sufficient supply, it could even impact the silver dollar market here on Bayi Street."
It was clear that Boss Jin was knowledgeable about the antique coin market and understood the value of having a reliable source for acquiring rare and valuable coins.
After some thought, Jin Chuanlin finally nodded and agreed to the price.
Boss Jin continued,
"Although the purchase price may be high, there is still a great profit potential. The most important factor is a stable supply channel establishment."
It was clear that Boss Jin saw the value in acquiring Liu Yong's collection of coins.