Silver Trade Unit Vs. Silver Trade Dollar

Production

• The U.S. Mint produced silver trade dollars from 1873 through 1885. They have not been produced since. According to "2010 North American Coins and Prices," less than 40 million trade dollars were minted. Many of these coins have been melted down and no longer exist. A number of private silver refiners produce silver trade units. The United States Mint has never produced a silver trade unit.

Appearance

• Silver trade dollars have the seated image of Liberty on the obverse side of the coin. The reverse side includes the image of an eagle with its wings spread and the words "Trade Dollar" at the bottom of the coin. The design of silver trade units varies depending on the company producing them, but they are never identified as trade dollars.

Silver Content

• Silver trade dollars contain 0.7876 ounces of silver. The composition of the coin is 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper. The United States Mint certifies their weight and silver content. Silver trade units typically contain 1 ounce of pure silver, but are they are not independently certified or guaranteed.

Value

• Because of their age and the limited number of coins that still exist, silver trade dollars are highly valued as collectibles as well as for their silver content. Silver trade units typically have limited value beyond their silver content.

Counterfeits

• According to the web site TradeDollars.org, counterfeit trade dollars have "flooded the market." Many counterfeits originate from mainland China, where the coin was historically used for trading purposes. There is no significant problem with counterfeit trade units, though some may exist.