Trade Dollar
- The United States trade dollar was a dollar coin issued by the US Mint to rival other enormous silver trade coins that were, at that point, well known in Asia. The thought initially occurred during the 1860s, when the cost of silver started to decrease because of expanded mining endeavors in the western United States.
- $5,835,314 USD American Dollar. During its Golden Age in the 17th century, it was the center of trade and the wealthiest city in the world. Read more about luxury homes in Amsterdam.
Robert P. writes: When in Indonesia a few years ago, I was approached in Sulewesi by someone who showed me a 1876 Trade Dollar. I bought it because it looked like it could be very valuable. He said that it belonged to his grandmother. I think I paid the equivalent of about 3 or 4 dollars for it. You can clearly see the detail on both sides of the coin, but it is somewhat worn on the high spots. I was just wondering how many were made and how rare a coin like this is?
Now I wish I would have bought the rest of the coins he was selling, but I was a bit worried that they may have been counterfeits. I can see now that they were indeed real. Thanks for your response! Sincerely Robert P., Portland, Oregon.
The trade dollar from 1885 was designed by William Barber and there are only five proofs made of this year, so a very rare coin and maybe the rarest on this planet. In January 2006 an authentic 1885 Trade Dollar which was previously owned by the legendary 'King of Coins' banker, Louis E. Explore Great Britain Dollar prices in the World Coin Price Guide, powered by Numismaster. It's available for free at NGCcoin.com.
The purpose of the United States Trade Dollar was to compete in the Orient with other, mostly British, coins used to trade for goods in that part of the world. The coin had more silver than the normal silver dollar (420 grains vs 412.5 grains) so it would match the British coin. It is not unusual to find them in Asia since that is where they were used. However, most of the pieces that did circulate in Asia are found “chop marked”. These are small symbols hand stamped into the coin that represented the mark of a banker and a declaration that the coin was genuine. It is not unusual to find many chop marks on Trade Dollars. Though I find chop marked Trade Dollars fascinating, they are valued less by collectors who are looking for pristine pieces. Genuine 1876 Trade Dollars in average circulated condition bring about $100.
