Options
My collection of extremely heavily chopmarked trade dollars... now photographed!
airplanenut
Posts: 21,915 ✭✭✭✭✭
Quite a while ago (ca. 2003?) I picked up an 1874-CC trade dollar off the BST (with a chop opposite the mintmark, the CC is almost totally gone, but trust me, it's there). The coin appealed to me because it had a ton of chopmarks and lots of character. I've always liked the coin, and 2 or 3 years ago, thought it would be fun to attempt a date set of heavily chopmarked trade dollars. I don't spend much time searching for coins for the set, but I keep my eyes open and have since added four more coins.
The 1877 is a really original piece, though it's cupped due to all the chops. The 1875-CC is probably my least favorite of the bunch as it's not just cleaned, but some of the gunk remains in the chops (any ideas how to get it out?). The 1877 is grade F15 by PCGS, although it, too, is obviously cleaned. My understanding is that 1877s are quite hard to find with any chops, so although it has fewer chops than the other coins, it is one to hold onto for now.
The 1875 is my latest addition, arriving yesterday, and it comes with a story. I was back east for Thanksgiving and on a train this past Sunday. While on the train, I saw this coin on eBay on my phone and figured I'd check it out when I got back and could see it on a larger screen; it looked nice, but I wanted a better look. On the train ride back, the train was stopped for more than an hour when all the tracks in North Philly were shut down by the police who were searching for a suspect running around them. Long story short, I realized I wasn't going to make it back in time to see the coin on a larger screen, and with 6% battery remaining on my phone (what can I say, I got bored on the ride), I set up a snipe and hoped for the best. The coin turned out to be a really nice piece with a good amount of lustre and attractive orange/gold toning. Definitely a keeper.
Anyway, here are the coins...
New additions! (updated 5/1/15)
The 1877 is a really original piece, though it's cupped due to all the chops. The 1875-CC is probably my least favorite of the bunch as it's not just cleaned, but some of the gunk remains in the chops (any ideas how to get it out?). The 1877 is grade F15 by PCGS, although it, too, is obviously cleaned. My understanding is that 1877s are quite hard to find with any chops, so although it has fewer chops than the other coins, it is one to hold onto for now.
The 1875 is my latest addition, arriving yesterday, and it comes with a story. I was back east for Thanksgiving and on a train this past Sunday. While on the train, I saw this coin on eBay on my phone and figured I'd check it out when I got back and could see it on a larger screen; it looked nice, but I wanted a better look. On the train ride back, the train was stopped for more than an hour when all the tracks in North Philly were shut down by the police who were searching for a suspect running around them. Long story short, I realized I wasn't going to make it back in time to see the coin on a larger screen, and with 6% battery remaining on my phone (what can I say, I got bored on the ride), I set up a snipe and hoped for the best. The coin turned out to be a really nice piece with a good amount of lustre and attractive orange/gold toning. Definitely a keeper.
Anyway, here are the coins...
New additions! (updated 5/1/15)
JK Coin Photography - eBay Consignments | High Quality Photos | LOW Prices | 20% of Consignment Proceeds Go to Pancreatic Cancer Research
0
Comments
Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners.
edited to ad: Did not know you were a chopped Trade Dollar collector.
I have a question on the chopmarks. Are there any references that document which merchants used which marks?
What's up with that 1877 - corrosion?
Freddie
<< <i>This is sweet!
I have a question on the chopmarks. Are there any references that document which merchants used which marks? >>
I don't believe there is a record of who used the chops but a rather comprehensive list is compiled in the Rose book.
Also, you can try the Chopmark Collector's Club, which keeps a rather large database of chopmarks they have found over the years on many different hosts.
Fantastic collection
Love them.
Lance.
Here's a megachopped 1875 I shot back when it took a day after you finished up the roll of film to see what the picture looked like. It's not mine, and the person who owned it at the time has since sold it, so it may be out there for the buying somewhere.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars
<< <i>Go get a few rose thorns and start digging at the 75-CC. The cheese should come right out. Yeah, it'll take a while, but it will work. >>
I know you're not joking because I've literally taken the "cheese" out of a few chopped coins. What is that stuff really, anyways?
Very nice coins and nice photos as well. The '74 is my favorite.
<< <i>
<< <i>This is sweet!
I have a question on the chopmarks. Are there any references that document which merchants used which marks? >>
I don't believe there is a record of who used the chops but a rather comprehensive list is compiled in the Rose book.
Also, you can try the Chopmark Collector's Club, which keeps a rather large database of chopmarks they have found over the years on many different hosts.
Fantastic collection
Thanks for that info!
I can't help but think of a breeder of Bulldogs. The fruit of their labor is a face only a mother could love!
njcc
<< <i>
<< <i>Go get a few rose thorns and start digging at the 75-CC. The cheese should come right out. Yeah, it'll take a while, but it will work. >>
I know you're not joking because I've literally taken the "cheese" out of a few chopped coins. What is that stuff really, anyways? >>
It almost looks like some sort of epoxy, perhaps some form of chopping akin to ink chops that faded quickly?
Yeah it's probably "original" and has some "coolness factor" to it but overall it is just downright nasty
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars
siliconvalleycoins.com
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Complete Set of Chopmarked Trade Dollars
Carson City Silver Dollars Complete 1870-1893http://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/showcase.aspx?sc=2722"
man alive those are cool but what they heck did they use to strike the punches, sledgehammers?
i've used punches thousands of times and never had the other side beaten to death so much like counterstamps on coins, wowza
.