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How to Grade the U.S. Trade Dollars

U.S. trade dollars are prized by collectors because they were produced in limited quantities from 1873 to 1885 and originally distributed for circulation in the Orient. In 1887, the U.S. Treasury redeemed many of the dollars, further reducing the supply on the numismatic market. The coin is comprised of 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper. U.S. Mint locations in Philadelphia, Carson City and San Francisco struck the coin that was designed by William Barber.

Things You'll Need

Magnifying glass

Instructions

- 1
  Grade the coin as choice uncirculated (MS-63) only if there is no wear on the trade dollar. Some impaired luster is allowed, as well as slight blemishes or contact marks. Examples with more visible blemishes should be graded as uncirculated (MS-60).
- 2
  Examine Lady Liberty for wear. If some is visible on her left knee or breast and in the hair above her ear on the front of the coin, the coin can grade as high as about uncirculated (AU-50). There can also be slight wear on the head and wing tips of the eagle on the reverse.
- 3
  Inspect the rim on the front and back of the coin. If there is wear here, downgrade the coin to extremely fine (EF-40).
- 4
  Grade the coin as fine (F-12) if the word "LIBERTY" on the front is worn, but legible. This is also true of the mottoes on the reverse of the trade dollar.
- 5
  Choose very good (VG-8) as the grade if at least half of the words in "IN GOD WE TRUST" and "E PLURIBUS UNUM" are visible on the trade dollar. Coins in which these words cannot be seen will grade as good or fair.

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