US Silver Trade Dollar

Minted from 1875 to 1885, the US Silver Trade Dollar had an interesting history. In those days, some of the more powerful European nations together with Mexico were using silver crowns to trade with a number of Asian countries. While there was an abundance of silver in the US mines, silver coins issued by the Mint didn't really catch on with the public. Since the market price of silver was falling in a time when America was looking to expand trade relations with countries like China, Japan, and Korea, the Trade Dollar made perfect sense. Of course, the mintage of silver coins would also make the miners happy.

Prior to the issue of the US Trade Dollar, America largely used Spanish and Mexican silver dollars to conduct trade with China, which had an insatiable demand for silver. Then, the challenge was to create a trade dollar that would be better and more valuable than the Spanish and Mexican versions. Composed of 90% silver and 10% copper, the US Silver Trade Dollar weighed 420 grains compared to 412 grains in circulated US dollars and more importantly, the Mexican Eagle dollar which weighed 416 grains. It was supposed to give the US a slight trade advantage over the Spanish and the Mexicans.

Designed by William Barber, the obverse of the US Silver Trade Dollar shows Lady Liberty seated on a throne on bricks, facing west. In her right hand, she holds a branch of olive. In her left hand, she holds a soft banner with the word "LIBERTY" on it. She wears customary crown and robe where her right breast can be seen jutting a little. Behind her, resting against the throne is a bunch of wheat and there are the words "IN GOD WE TRUST" appearing in another banner, above the year of mintage. On the reverse, there's a muscular bald eagle with majestic wings, looking East. It's clutching the customary three arrows and a branch of olive. Slightly above the eagle is a banner saying "E PLURIBUS UNUM" and then, the rainbow of "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA." above. Immediately below the eagle, there's the "420 GRAINS, 900 FINE." boast and at the bottom, "TRADE DOLLAR."

Since US Silver Trade dollars were mostly circulated in the Far East, many surviving specimens have "authenticity" marks or chops on them. If you have some US Silver Trade dollars, you can get good returns for them in the market. Otherwise, it's a good time to sell silver. If you want to get instant cash for silver from the best silver buyer, act now!