What Is a Trade Dollar and Why Do Collectors Want Them?

What Is a Trade Dollar and Why Do Collectors Want Them? The United States Trade Dollar is one of the most historically layered coins in the American series: created for export, traded through Asia, returned chopmarked and demonetized, and eventually redeemed in controversy. Why Was the Trade Dollar Created? Congress authorized the Trade Dollar in 1873, specifically designed for export to Asian markets, where the U.S. silver dollar was less trusted than the Mexican peso. The Trade Dollar was heavier than the standard silver dollar: 420 grains of 90% silver versus 412.5 grains. The History of the Trade Dollar Struck from 1873 to 1885 at Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Carson City Mints. In 1876, Congress stripped the Trade Dollar of its legal tender status. Congress eventually redeemed outstanding Trade Dollars in 1887 at face value. Why Collectors Seek Trade Dollars The chopmark dimension: most surviving Trade Dollars carry chopmarks from Asian commercial circulation. The design. The historical story. Key dates and varieties. Commonwealth Coins carries certified Trade Dollars and chopmarked coins at www.ccandc.gold. Located in Alexandria, Virginia, shipping nationally and internationally.