Trade Dollars: Do they belong in a type set of U.S. coins?

dan1ecu

It says in my Red Book that Trade Dollars were issued in the Orient to compete with dollar sized coins from other countries. Apparently some of them circulated in the United States, as they were assigned a value of $5 in this country. According to the PCGS population reports, there are 4857 business strikes and 3311 proofs certified for the series in ALL grades! This probably has something to do with many of them being chop marked. Additionally, in 1887 the Treasury was authorized to redeem all Trade Dollars that had not been mutilated. There are about 500 or so Trade Dollars certified by PCGS as MS 64, with very few higher.

So do you consider Trade Dollars to be in a different category than other regular issue U.S. coins? Would you include one in a type set?

Dan

dwood

I wouldn't.

In my mind, if it wasn't made by the US Mint (or commissioned by one of the States), it isn't valid as a "US coin." I'm in a similar predicament with my Auctori Plebis...as no one knows for sure who minted it?

coinguy1

Dan,

My understanding is that Trade Dollars were struck in the U.S., though they were intended for trade (pun intended) in China. They should, absolutely be included in U.S. type sets.

keithdagen

dwood,

Trade Dollars, although intended for international trade, were struck in Philadelphia, Carson City, and San Fransisco.

shirohniichan

They most definitely belong in a collection of US coins because:

1) they were minted in the US, and

2) they were legal tender in transactions up to $5 until they were demonetized in 1876.

BTW, they weren't worth $5, they were worth only $1. However, no more than 5 could be used as ;ega; tender in a single transaction. If you owed $6 in taxes you'd only be able to use 5, then you'd have to find another legal tender to make up the difference.

Pushkin

Yes, without question, IMO.

Even this diehard old IHC guy keeps a couple around - such beautiful coins!

billiardmaster

Type set? You bet I would. Just like I would include a Stella in a gold type set. You can always do a short set and skip many of the different
types. Still very difficult in xf or better. Guess it is obvious that I like Trade Dollars.
Rusty

dbldie55

Trade Dollars created quite a stir. In my reading of the New York Times from 1883 (Mark, that is from 1883, not in 1883 ) I did find lots of comments about this coin. It seems that these could be purchased for under the $1 face value, and some employers would pay their employees with them. The employees had a hard time spending them, and even then it was at a discount.

Certainly a US made coin that belongs in a type set though.

tradedollarnut

Nah... they're worthless..... send 'em all to me!

flaminio

FWIW, Trade Dollars are once again legal tender, and have been since the coinage act of 1965.

IMHO, they absolutely belong in a Type Set. Of course, any individual is free to collect whatever they like.

Baley

yes, because, well, there's a hole for them in my book:

Typetone

Yes, the Set Registry says buy it, and so you must!!

Greg

wingedliberty

Yes, they absolutely should.

Brian

ARCO

absolutely! The origins of their manufacture and history are great for seducing women...no not really, but they are very cool coins.

Tyler

mbbiker

Yes!!! they are a great part of American history, you must have one in your type set even if it is only an Unc coin netted to Good because of chopmarks.

DoubleDime

I say they do, I have a 1878-S coin in my type set collection.

michael

they were remoneyitzed with the coinage act of 1965 they are an official federal U.S. mint coin

i would most certianly include them ...........

they are extremely undervalued and are really rare

those 500 ms 64 pcgs coins you mentioned if you take off some of the s mint coins which is like close to 350 coins in ms64 not many left

trades in ms64/close to gem and 65 gem .................. are rare!

undervalued sleeper coins especially with original think sk,inned never dipped surfaces and white original white or nicely toned!!!!!!!!!! any date!!!!!!!!!! importasnt eye appealling thick skinned original white non dipped or nicely toned!

but since they are so rare it is hard to collect them by date

and if there would even be a slight demand for a type set in ms64 and i mean a real 64 coin

they would skyrocket and if you wanted a really underrated date like the 1874 in a really nice 64 grade that is totally original and white good luck

maybe a once in a lifetime coin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! if you ever do find one! if you can find even a thick skinned original white or toned coin sexy s mint in a nice 64 buy it!!!!!!!!! of course a better date like the 1874 even better!

nice ms64 original coins either white or toned extremely undervalued and sleepers with a fundemential reason to rise in value! these special coins are not for the faint of heart and are for a true collector!

something you do not see everyday!

if you get a trade in any grade or date it actually grows on you!! try it and see! and the best trade to buy? the one that you like!! that is pleasing to your eye! any grade any date chopped, boxed , toned original white or ms64!

sincerely michael

dwood

OK,
I guess they're in

relayer

Sure - not only are they product of US mints - they're cool