What was once 1878 Trade Dollars

Lavrentii · September 22, 2023 7:52AM

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.

lermish · September 22, 2023 7:55AM

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.

thebeav · September 22, 2023 8:11AM

Often referred to as "opium dollars".
Desirable, and an easy sell. Worth considerably more than just a '78 trade dollar.

The_Dinosaur_Man · September 22, 2023 8:36AM

My LCS has a companion piece. These coins are nice.

Lavrentii · September 22, 2023 8:37AM

@thebeav said:
Often referred to as "opium dollars".
Desirable, and an easy sell. Worth considerably more than just a '78 trade dollar.

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

Lavrentii · September 22, 2023 8:39AM

@The_Dinosaur_Man said:
My LCS has a companion piece. These coins are nice.

Now i like it too!
Oh and history of this thing is really interesting as well

Lavrentii · September 22, 2023 8:50AM

@thebeav said:
Often referred to as "opium dollars".
Desirable, and an easy sell. Worth considerably more than just a '78 trade dollar.

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?

Glen2022 · September 22, 2023 9:04AM

Cool. Wonder who the woman is.

Lavrentii · September 22, 2023 9:12AM

@Glen2022 said:
Cool. Wonder who the woman is.

Oh yea, I like to collect items with history and some puzzles)

messydesk · September 22, 2023 9:31AM

Nice box dollar. They aren't super rare, but they're cool, especially if there's a period photo still inside.

Lavrentii · September 22, 2023 9:36AM

@messydesk said:
Nice box dollar. They aren't super rare, but they're cool, especially if there's a period photo still inside.

So looks like I enjoy for some time and will try to sell. Probably someone collect them.

tokenpro · September 22, 2023 9:40AM

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.

PeakRarities · September 22, 2023 9:44AM

@Lavrentii said:

@thebeav said:
Often referred to as "opium dollars".
Desirable, and an easy sell. Worth considerably more than just a '78 trade dollar.

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?

@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.

lilolme · September 22, 2023 10:31AM

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.
.

Lavrentii · September 22, 2023 10:45AM

@lilolme said:
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.
.

Oh what a wonderful collection!!! Many thanks!

messydesk · September 22, 2023 11:20AM

@lilolme said:
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.

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.

Lavrentii · September 29, 2023 3:18AM

Just wonder, if anyone want to buy it? I listed it on eBay now, but ready for private deals if you want.

may · September 29, 2023 4:13AM

@Lavrentii said:
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?

Lavrentii · September 29, 2023 4:24AM

@Ownerofawheatiehorde said:

@Lavrentii said:
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?

I put it from 350. But there is no bid for now.

lermish · September 29, 2023 4:38AM

@Lavrentii said:

@Ownerofawheatiehorde said:

@Lavrentii said:
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?

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.

may · September 29, 2023 4:39AM

@lermish said:

@Lavrentii said:

@Ownerofawheatiehorde said:

@Lavrentii said:
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?

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.

BillJones · September 29, 2023 6:00AM

There is nothing painful there. That coin is worth a premium, especially with the family picture intact.

lermish · September 29, 2023 6:21AM

@Ownerofawheatiehorde said:

@lermish said:

@Lavrentii said:

@Ownerofawheatiehorde said:

@Lavrentii said:
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?

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.

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.

NeophyteNumismatist · September 29, 2023 7:48AM

I have always thought opium dollars were cool. One day I am going to have to get one myself. Congrats - very cool piece!

Lavrentii · September 29, 2023 8:33AM

@lermish said:
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.

Sorry, first and last time

RobertScotLover · September 29, 2023 6:36PM

@Lavrentii said:

@messydesk said:
Nice box dollar. They aren't super rare, but they're cool, especially if there's a period photo still inside.

So looks like I enjoy for some time and will try to sell. Probably someone collect them.

Took a week to enjoy said piece.......a true collector.

Lavrentii · September 30, 2023 7:11AM

@RobertScotLover said:
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.

What was once 1878 Trade Dollars

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