Trade Dollar

The Trade Dollar was produced from 1873 through 1885. This issue was not intended for circulation in the United States. The image of Liberty in a seated position is unique, and should not be confused with any other dollar. The Trade Dollar contains 0.7876 Troy ounce of silver, and a purity of silver of 0.900. This is slightly more silver than other silver dollars, and was minted to pay foreign merchants who had a problem with the silver content of other dollars. The Trade Dollar is difficult to find, and usually brings a high price. This, and unfamiliarity with the design by many collectors, makes it a target for counterfeiters. In one case I observed a Trade Dollar on eBay with a date clearly stamped on it that was from the wrong century! In fact, the date preceded the origins of the United States.