What was once 1878 Trade Dollars
Lavrentii
Posts: 29 ✭✭
Hello community!
Recently got this beauty, but at the same time it is so painful 🤦Just wonder what other collectors think. 1878 Trade Dollar
Photo frame dollar 😭
In your opinion, is this still have any collectors value? Many thanks for all ideas.
5
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Sure. Probably not much, I would guess somewhere in the $100-150 range but wouldn't be surprised if it went for a bit more.
Often referred to as "opium dollars".
Desirable, and an easy sell. Worth considerably more than just a '78 trade dollar.
My LCS has a companion piece. These coins are nice.
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Many thanks! I didn't know that name for locket. I checked sold lots on ebay. Wow. For '78 trade dollar locket the max price was more than grant
Now i like it too!
Oh and history of this thing is really interesting as well
What do you think about price and type?
I think, as they used different coins for this locket, so we have one side from 78 dollar, and we don't know the type (S or CC or 1878 Proof). And the other side from maybe different year. Is there any options to find out what exactly coins they used for this locket?
Cool. Wonder who the woman is.
Oh yea, I like to collect items with history and some puzzles)
Nice box dollar. They aren't super rare, but they're cool, especially if there's a period photo still inside.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
So looks like I enjoy for some time and will try to sell. Probably someone collect them.
They are most commonly and accurately called box dollars as there is little to no evidence that they were used in the opium trade. The value depends mostly on the quality of the workmanship, ease of opening and the contents. The large majority were made for housing images and often contain a photo holder insert as this one does. The good points of the OP piece are the original image inside and the loop indicating use as a fob or possible neck piece; the downside is the damage and wear around the pressure point which is not uncommon. Average trade dollar pieces sell in the $175 - $400 range - I would price this piece in the lower end of that range.
Trade dollars are easily the most commonly used host coins for box dollars & were often offered for sale at expos and fairs in the last quarter of the 19th Century. Half dollars are sometimes available as are numerous world crown sized coins but U.S. gold is both very scarce and always desirable.
@lermish's price estimate was pretty good, just search "opium dollar" or "box dollar" on ebay and filter by "sold". There are many comps from $150 all the way up to $400 but I would value yours on the lower end of the spectrum because of the environmental damage and the dent on the reverse.
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Here are some on the NNP. Can click on the individual ones for larger image and some information.
https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/imagecollection/510816
I am guessing that this one would bring a little extra.
1907 Roman numeral high relief double eagle photo box coin, with photograph of Theodore Roosevelt.
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https://youtube.com/watch?v=wwmUMvhy-lY - Pink Me And Bobby McGee
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https://youtube.com/watch?v=D0FPxuQv2ns - Ruby Starr (from 'Go Jim Dandy') Maybe I'm Amazed
RLJ 1958 - 2023
Oh what a wonderful collection!!! Many thanks!
The photo of Theodore Roosevelt was a modern idea, printed and inserted for illustration purposes when I photographed it for the NNP. The box high relief Saint is truly an amazing piece. Don't forget it took two coins to make one of these. There are some pretty amazing box coins in that collection.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
Just wonder, if anyone want to buy it? I listed it on eBay now, but ready for private deals if you want.
How much is it right now?
Type collector, mainly into Seated. -formerly Ownerofawheatiehorde. Good BST transactions with: mirabela, OKCC, MICHAELDIXON, Gerard
I put it from 350. But there is no bid for now.
I know you're new but just so that you're aware this is not the appropriate forum to discuss your items for sale. This should be on the buy/sell/trade forum rather than here.
Yes, I just thought I would ask.
Type collector, mainly into Seated. -formerly Ownerofawheatiehorde. Good BST transactions with: mirabela, OKCC, MICHAELDIXON, Gerard
There is nothing painful there. That coin is worth a premium, especially with the family picture intact.
Meant for the OP...i'm not the "board police" or anything but asking questions seems reasonable enough to me, soliciting sales is a different matter.
I have always thought opium dollars were cool. One day I am going to have to get one myself. Congrats - very cool piece!
I am a newer collector (started April 2020), and I primarily focus on U.S. Half Cents and Type Coins. Early copper is my favorite.
Sorry, first and last time
Took a week to enjoy said piece.......a true collector.
It is quite ridiculous to judge or make judgments about people you do not know.
Nowadays, fortunately, all means of communication are available to us, and what was previously inaccessible today allows us to pass through our hands as many objects as we want. This opens up enormous prospects for education, and for the creation of collections as well. Let me note that each of us has our own area of interest. Perhaps someday I will find out about what interests you, I think that would be wonderful. My area of interest is silver coins. You yourself probably know that sometimes you have to buy a large lot in order to choose something interesting for yourself. Enjoy, as I put it, for me is exploring and learning something I didn't know before. Therefore, when a subject is studied, it no longer brings me pleasure. Everything that is interesting to me as a collector remains in my collection. I have hope that I explained myself. Hope this helps create a little more enjoyable communication here.