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.

Trade Dollars

The Trade Dollars were not intended to circulate in the United States.  They were intended to be used for payment to the Orient, and differed from circulating dollars by containing slightly more silver, to appease foreign merchants.  They were only minted from 1873 to 1885.  These are not very common, and can command a nice price if in a higher grade.

Be careful.  These can and have been counterfeited.  I have seen one in an online auction with a date not in the range they were minted.  In fact, the date preceded the existence of the United States, so it could not have been any U. S. coin!