1875-CC Trade Dollar Chop Marked

[TomB]

I recently obtained this 1875-CC Trade dollar from a member of the PCGS boards and the coin has terrific chop marks on it. It has been graded by PCGS as F15 due to remaining details associated with wear, but it's not like any F15 typically encountered. The obverse has at least 27 chop marks on it and the reverse has at least one chop mark on it. The coin had been tested so many times that it is bent and shaped somewhat like a dish. I think this is a very cool coin.

[WoodenJefferson]

TomB...some of those chops marks I recognize, others I have seen on this coin for the very first time. I like the block style chop near the date, your right, this is one cool Trade Dollar!

 

How'd it fit into the slab?

[harvey8542]

Very nice trade dollar Tom. This may be a dumb ? but what is the purpose of so many marks?

[RUSS BEGA]

Very cool coin how much do pieces liek these go for usually?

[TomB]

I think the reverse of the coin might actually be touching the inner plastic of the slab. If not, it is mighty close.

 

These coins were specifically made for trade with China and might be better termed a commercial dollar than a trade dollar. Many Asian merchants would place their mark, or chop, on a coin as a test of the silver to display that the coin was acceptable. Unfortunately for those who backed the Trade dollar, it did not gain widespread favor in Asia and chop marked coins are rather unusual. Coins with the number of marks that this coin has are fairly rare. Even more rare are those with this many marks that are still relatively problem-free, such as this piece.

[lkenefic]

cool coin... I was actually contemplating a more conservatively "chopped" Trade Dollar for my type set. Since they were meant for commerse in Asia it seems fitting.

 

Leo

[construct]

What an amazing coin! Thank you for sharing it with us.

 

Very cool coin how much do pieces liek these go for usually?

 

I am sort of a new-comer to collecting trade dollars. I have accumulated five of them (raw common dates; no CCs). One of them has a single chop mark. It's otherwise an AU-58. I paid $300.

[rbrown4]

Tom,

 

That is a very nice, amazing example of a chop marked Trade Dollar, great coin. I am just now learning and reading more about these and yours is such an interesting piece. A nice one to have, I am sure. Thanks for showing it to us.

 

Rey

[bsshog40]

I guess I may be the only one not getting these pics to show.

[WoodenJefferson]

Bobby...sometimes you have to coax the images into to view when they come up as "red x'ed" box on your monitor.

 

Hold your mouse arrow over the blank image, right click. That will open a tool box, look for "show picture" and click on that.

 

Many times that will allow the image to suddenly appear...waalaa. Try it.

[MBA101]

Oopha!

[bsshog40]

Bobby...sometimes you have to coax the images into to view when they come up as "red x'ed" box on your monitor.

 

Hold your mouse arrow over the blank image, right click. That will open a tool box, look for "show picture" and click on that.

 

Many times that will allow the image to suddenly appear...waalaa. Try it.

 

I tried that aleady WJ, but it doesn't seem to want to come up. I ain't having any problems with the other posts. Just this one. I guess everyone else is still seeing the pics? Usually this only happens to me after the pic has been deleted from the posters link.

[jesbroken]

Bobby,

I tried right clicking and show picture-it worked for me. Thanks Woody. That is one great CMTD!!! I have never seen one with so many chop marks. Unbelieveable. Great pickup Tom.

[pendragon1998]

I didn't see any picture when I first loaded the thread. I refreshed it and it came up that time.

[bsshog40]

That was the only thing I didn't do was refresh!! tada!! Nice old trade and love those multiple chopmarks!!!

[JRocco]

Beautiful example of chops on a trade dollar.

I would love that coin in my collection.

[WinstonWare]

Wow what history! From the Wild West to China and back to the US? Again? And again and again? Very cool

[rbrown4]

Just an FYI, there is a good article on "America's Unwanted Trade Dollar" in the August edition of Coins. Good summary of the history of them.

 

Rey

[IGWT]

Thanks for the tip on right-click/show photo; it worked. I like the look of the coin.

[123cents]

That trade dollar took a whipping and has the chops to prove it. Very cool.

[rrantique]

That trade dollar took a whipping and has the chops to prove it. Very cool.

 

What would really be neat if each chop mark could be identified. Now that would add some provenance.

[comicAL]

Hi, TomB

 

Man alive! I really enjoyed your chopped up US Trade dollar!

 

That one has been through many different Chinese merchants' hands!

 

AAJ

[robec1347]

Great coin Tom. That is a great example of a heavily chopped Trade Dollar. Thanks for showing it.

[physics-fan3.14]

That trade dollar took a whipping and has the chops to prove it. Very cool.

 

What would really be neat if each chop mark could be identified. Now that would add some provenance.

 

That is a really good point. Is there a study anywhere as to the source of various chopmarks? I think that would be really cool.