CHOP MARKED U.S. TRADE DOLLARS
Tibor
Posts: 3,664 ✭✭✭✭✭
I've been rereading some past issues of Numismatic News since I've
been in the hospital. Came across a well written article about Chop
Marked Trade Dollars. Presented in the February 4th, 2025 issue.
Written by noted and highly acclaimed author, Eric Brothers.
Discusses the history of the Trade Dollars and breaks down each
issue by year and mint. I know many of you collect these coins. Not
sure if the article is online or if Numismatic News may still have the
issue in their inventory. I had 4 of these beauties 40 years ago, long
gone. Take care, Tibor
5
Comments
This thread needs more @lermish!
There is a lot of information as well as links to additional info at chopmarkedtradedollars.com
There was also a recent article in the Greysheet news -> https://www.greysheet.com/news/story/an-introduction-to-chopmarked-trade-dollars
chopmarkedtradedollars.com
If appreciating antiquities is about holding, tangible history in your hand, few coins have as wild of a story to tell as chop marked coins.
11.5$ Southern Dollars, The little “Big Easy” set
Can't have too many chops
Love 'em!
Complete Set of Chopmarked Trade Dollars
Carson City Silver Dollars Complete 1870-1893http://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/showcase.aspx?sc=2722"
They seem to be growing in popularity as more people are collecting these. The downside, though, for us that collect them is that prices have been rising, particularly for scarce and/or attractive examples.
Complete Set of Chopmarked Trade Dollars
Carson City Silver Dollars Complete 1870-1893http://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/showcase.aspx?sc=2722"
Just one, carefully hidden.
Of the six coins posted here thus far, three are very scarce varieties; @Crypto 's S/CC and 75-Micro S and @DDR 's 76-S RPD. Nice coins everybody!
Here's my S/CC, 75-Micro S, and 76-S RPD:
chopmarkedtradedollars.com
Just another 1875-s/cc
I always avoided hidden chops because what’s the point? If you’re collecting chops, they should be front and center!
I picked one up somewhat recently, a common date. Single reverse chop. It did CAC upon submission. AU58
Nothing is as expensive as free money.
The closest I've come is this 1796 8R. I was hoping to include a Chopped Trade Dollar i my Box of 20... and to keep this one company.
Successful BST transactions with: SilverEagles92; Ahrensdad; Smitty; GregHansen; Lablade; Mercury10c; copperflopper; whatsup; KISHU1; scrapman1077, crispy, canadanz, smallchange, robkool, Mission16, ranshdow, ibzman350, Fallguy, Collectorcoins, SurfinxHI, jwitten, Walkerguy21D, dsessom.
before the cash stopped flowing, one of my wants was a - relatively - low end priced trade dollar that is chopped to hell and back (but no punches)
The more chops, the merrier!!
I see a number of my former friends featured in these photos. It's nice to see that they have found good homes.
Complete Set of Chopmarked Trade Dollars
Carson City Silver Dollars Complete 1870-1893http://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/showcase.aspx?sc=2722"
Bruce @tradedollarnut I believe this is one of your former ones with a hidden chopmark (I still have it!):
Complete Set of Chopmarked Trade Dollars
Carson City Silver Dollars Complete 1870-1893http://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/showcase.aspx?sc=2722"
Yes, but I loved the 74cc a whole lot more for the prominent chop
Funny story - the above coin was in a B&M auction in a regular 64 holder and when I viewed it I said ‘hey - there’s a chop here!’
It could happen to anyone
chopmarkedtradedollars.com
The two to look out for are 1875 and 1878-CC.
Of the four die pairings for 1878-CC, one has 4, another has 2, and another has only 1 (I owned), and the fourth pairing has not been seen chopped. Those 7 are of 9 known to me, the other 2 were not examined for the die pair.
I have not seen a single 1875 with chopmarks. It is the key chopmark rarity of US Trade dollars.