Do chop marks generally add to or decrease a trade dollar's value?

LikesCents

I have seen trade dollars with chop marks slabbed by pcgs and noted on the label as having chop marks. Given all other things the same between 2 trade dollars, 1 with chops, 1 without, is one generally considered worth more?

Shamika

I don't collect trade dollars, but if I did, I'd want mine WITH chop marks. It's like an informal stamp of approval.

Russ

Good question, and something I've wondered about myself. Another question is are some chops worth more than others? Maybe some famous merchants might be worth more than unknowns?

Russ, NCNE

tradedollarnut

In general, chopmarks reduce a trade dollar's value. However, since it's still early in the certification of chopmarks and many of the known coins are off the market, there is certainly some price pressure on a few of the rarer dates and condition coins. This is leading to some prices realized that are equal or greater than chopmarked coins.

As the certification process follows its natural progression, I think you will find that in almost all instances the non chopmarked coins will be worth more. After all, if the chopmarks consistently increased the value then soon enough more would be chopped!

Longacre

I don't think they add value. There was a good article in Numismatic News (most recent issue). I think the chops add character to the coin.

When I was in Shanghai, I bought a chop from a merchant. He made one for me which was my father's initials in Chinese characters (or so he said). He made it with a dremmel tool, so I guess it isn't really "authentic". But it was fun to buy it and have something to give to my father.

jcping

It shouldn't increase value. Nevertheless, supply and demand is not balanced at this moment so that you can find some with higher value than non-chop-marked trade dollars. Go to teletrade and find out chop-marked trade dollar auction prices

TorinoCobra71

Could be where the chopmark is at on the Trade $ also..........

TorinoCobra71

airplanenut

I was happy to get this at about 20% of its value had there not been any chops...

I think it's way cooler than a regular trade dollar...

Shamika

<< <i>After all, if the chopmarks consistently increased the value then soon enough more would be chopped! >>


Excellent point. It's difficult for a coin to be AT'ed or doctored in a way that will fool an expert, but chop marks would be a piece of cake to counterfeit. Before long, virtually every Trade Dollar would be chopped to death.