1884 and 1885 Trade Dollars in Upcoming Stack's Sale

Higashiyama

These coins obviously don't compare to those in TDN's collection, but I am curious where they rank among the census of 10 and 5 respectively?

Any guess regarding the price they will realize?

tradedollarnut

The 1884 is around the middle of the pack [it is an old holder NGC 63]: the finer 1884's are the Starr coin [PF67], the Eliasberg coin [PF66], the Wolfson coin [PF65] and the Carter coin [PF64].

The 1885 is also in the middle of the pack [it is an old holder NGC 61]: the finer 1885's are the Eliasberg coin [PF66] and the Norweb coin [PF62]



I'm guessing both coins will go for more than $100 each.

kranky

<< <i>I'm guessing both coins will go for more than $100 each. >>



Way to go out on a limb there, TDN! Bold, bold prediction.

I'm curious - do you think anyone who was interested in owning an 1884 or 1885 Trade dollar would pass up the opportunity because they are middle of the pack coins?

tradedollarnut

I'm curious - do you think anyone who was interested in owning an 1884 or 1885 Trade dollar would pass up the opportunity because they are middle of the pack coins?

No - I think the only examples in which that might be the case are the impaired specimens.

lclugza

Wasn't one of the 1884 Trade dollars cleaned? If so, I wonder who did such a dastardly deed?

michael

i like the proof coinage of 1885!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

that 1885 trade sounds nice but for me i would have liked the coin if it had more eye appeal and was tecnically a higher grade as a 61 it must really be hairlined and nicked up to death????

but either way even if it was one of the impaired proofs i could never ever afford such a coin even in my dreams!

sincerely michael

Higashiyama

So, for similar money, do I buy the 1884 in PR63 or the 1885 in PR61?

kranky

<< <i>So, for similar money, do I buy the 1884 in PR63 or the 1885 in PR61? >>



Clearly, you go for the 1885. Otherwise, you don't get a good start on a complete set of US coins with a mintage of 5. And then you start looking for a 1913 nickel!

tradedollarnut

So, for similar money, do I buy the 1884 in PR63 or the 1885 in PR61?

I believe that the currently offered 1885 will sell for at least double what the 84 brings.

In general, for the same amount of money, I would always take the 85 at the lower grade. 1884's are available regularly, 1885's can be off the market for decades.

Wasn't one of the 1884 Trade dollars cleaned? If so, I wonder who did such a dastardly deed?

Actually, more than one has been at least lightly cleaned. King Farouk was notorious for cleaning his silver coins. The Farouk specimen is currently graded PCGS PF63. But the one you are thinking of is the Olsen specimen that was once owned by Mr Ewalt. Apparently Mr Ewalt's secretary kept his coins brightly polished! It was last sold as part of the Worrell collection [Superior 1993], which is the same sale at which the 1885 in Stacks last appeared.

Higashiyama

Does anyone have price data on recent public transactions?

(I don't have a trade dollar in my type set, this seems like a good opportunity)