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 Replies: 15 / Views: 1,931 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
745 Posts |
Fellas whats the going opinion in the community on Trade dollar chop marks ? Its kind of hard to find Trade dollars without them and they seem to signify the first golden age of China trade. Do they take away from the value of the Trade dollar ? Are there some marks worse then others ? Any info on Trade dollar chop marks would be much appreciated as in the future I wouldn't mind adding a few to my collection stack. Thank you. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3342 Posts |
Of course chop marks lower the value of Trade dollars, by half or more. Purist coin collectors and investors consider chops unacceptable post mint damage like graffiti. That makes them more affordable for those of us that like holding history in our hands with gloves off. Chops are evidence that they were used for what they were intended for. Here's an AU 1875-CC (you can make out one C above the D in dollars). The obverse take a pounding on rough surfaces (look at Liberty's head) and the coin is cupped from being chopped so much on the reverse. I have an even rougher looking one in my belt buckle.   "Two minutes ago I would have sold my chances for a tired dime." Fred Astaire
Edited by thq
05/05/2025 3:09 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2001 Posts |
Trade dollars have been heavily counterfeited for decades. even ones with chopmarks. Unless you are very confident in detecting counterfeits, I suggest you purchase only certified examples
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
745 Posts |
Yeah I'm being very careful. Actually this is a coin that really interests me. Its a graded 1877 S with no chop marks that I can see. Sadly its from Coinbook so the best I could do is snip the ANACS grade of "1877-S SILVER Trade dollar **DOUBLED-DIE REVERSE (FS-802) **CERTIFIED EF45**" and its going for $599   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3342 Posts |
I trusted Larry Briggs for the 1875CC. He spotted the mintmark.
"Two minutes ago I would have sold my chances for a tired dime." Fred Astaire
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3848 Posts |
Chop marks do prevent a coin from achieving choice grade prices. But they still maintain decent value as is. Here is a sold 1877-S DDR in AU-50 to compare with the example you are looking at. Same holder, higher grade, $215 less than your coin. https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/l...-50-anacs-ohSuffering from bust half fever. Want to learn how to attribute early half dollars by die variety? Click Here: http://goccf.com/t/434955Shoot me a PM if you are looking to sell bust halves. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5601 Posts |
Many thoughts come to mind seeing these chop marked Trade dollars, The photos provided show Almost covering the Entire Coins reverse. If they could talk...  I like the ANACS EF- 45 example Better, Less Over-All distractions on the Devices and the Fields, Original luster , Just a tad shorter grade, Cost is Not everything. JMO. Trade dollars have a very adventurous history, Having just a few, My Best, Raw 1880-Proof. ( mintage 1987 ). That Trade dollar came to me from an Estate owners collection, Ungraded, All Original coin, Not a chop mark with-in miles, Hard Rainbow color toning, One of the most visually pleasing examples I have Ever seen.....  Anyone have any ideas about information regarding Possible Known mintages on the Trade dollars, Possibly Surviving Guesstimates,.... Thanks Thank You for Sharing your visions, Best Wishes, MD |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2001 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1509 Posts |
Trade dollars with a few well placed chop marks can add value to the coin. Many times it does detract though.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
745 Posts |
Quote:Chop marks do prevent a coin from achieving choice grade prices. But they still maintain decent value as is. Here is a sold 1877-S DDR in AU-50 to compare with the example you are looking at. Same holder, higher grade, $215 less than your coin. https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/l...-50-anacs-oh Yeah nice detail on this coin and well worth the price. The rims and the numbers really leap out at you and forget the coloring. Who cares ? The coin has character. Obviously theres more to the EF-45 then we can see but it does have a nicely uniformed tone and plenty of metal left on it. Even "if" the tone is to good to be true it was a good "to good to be true" job. I was never going to buy it anyway. All I'm doing is dipping my toes a bit and learning from the experts. Thanks to all. Edited by Silverskunk
05/05/2025 7:42 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4468 Posts |
There are some dates that chop marks can add value to the Trade dollar, and some dates chop marks will decrease the value. A 1875 with chop marks will add lots of value to the Trade dollar as it is rare to find a 1875 with chop marks. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3622 Posts |
There are some dates that are tough to find without chop marks, too. The 1874-S had a high mintage, but most of the coins circulated in China. In higher grades, without chop marks, this coin is more difficult to find than the mintage figures would suggest.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4468 Posts |
Quote:Anyone have any ideas about information regarding Possible Known mintages on the Trade dollars, Possibly Surviving Guesstimates,... The following are charts from the new Trade dollar book by Joe Kirchgessner: Chart of Trade dollars that went overseas and stayed in US and the exports and imports do not include private shipping.  Mintage chart of Trade dollars and estimated percentage of current population  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2200 Posts |
I think having one Trade dollar with chop marks would make for an interesting conversation piece. You can tell your non-collecting friends about the history of the coin and why it looks that way. |
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Moderator
 United States
187557 Posts |
Quote:I think having one Trade dollar with chop marks would make for an interesting conversation piece. You can tell your non-collecting friends about the history of the coin and why it looks that way. I did not want one in my 7070, but it might be fun to get an example for this reason.  |
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New Member
United States
1 Posts |
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Replies: 15 / Views: 1,931 |
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Posted 05/05/2025 3:18 pm
