Trade dollar

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Period

1873-1885

Issuing entity

United States

Silver dollar struck primarily for commerce in East Asia rather than for domestic circulation.

Historical context

Issued to compete with other trade coins circulating in Chinese treaty ports; its legal tender status in the United States was later revoked.

Design

obverse
Seated Liberty facing left
reverse
Eagle with stated weight and fineness

Identification

note
Many circulating specimens bear East Asian merchant chopmarks.

Catalogue references

No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.

Research required

  • Stated weight and fineness inscriptions require transcription from a verified reference.
  • Mint mark placement not yet documented.
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