1876 Trade Dollar & 1891 Morgan Silver Dollar 2-pc Set PCGS XF45–MS64

The Strange Connection Between America’s Trade And Morgan Silver Dollars

From the moment it was first struck in 1878, the Morgan Silver Dollar saw widespread use in American commerce. But did you know it wasn’t the only U.S. silver dollar in circulation at the time? For just six years from 1873 to 1878, the U.S. Mint struck a special silver Trade Dollar. This coin was not meant to circulate here in the United States; but was intended for circulation overseas, particularly in Asia, as a way to establish trade and compete with other major world coins.

Trade Dollars Featured Barber’s Seated Liberty

Struck in 27.22 grams of highly pure 90% fine silver, the Trade Dollar was slightly heavier than a Morgan Dollar. It also featured an attractive design created by U.S. Mint Chief Engraver William Barber that depicted Liberty offering an olive branch across the sea while seated next to bales of wheat and other American traded goods. The reverse showed an American Bald Eagle, its wings spread, holding three arrows in its right talon and an olive branch in its left.

While most of these coins were sent to China and the Far East and circulated reasonably well, many made their way back home through American commercial channels. Once home, they never really caught on. Those coins that did return were often damaged by chop marks stamped into them by Chinese merchants after their weight and value were verified. They also proved to be a headache for consumers when used for commerce in America where they often traded for less than a dollar. The coins were officially demonetized in 1876 and circulation strikes were discontinued altogether in 1878 with only special Proof versions struck through 1885.

Morgan Dollars Struck From Reclaimed Trade Dollar Silver

Finding one of these vintage Trade Dollars can be difficult thanks to the 1891 Trade Dollar Recoinage Act which authorized the reclamation of silver from the 7.69 million Trade Dollars that were stored at the Treasury. And what did the government do with all that silver—all 230 tons of it? It was converted into Morgan Silver Dollars! That means if you own a Morgan Silver Dollar struck in 1891 at the Philadelphia or New Orleans Mints, it probably came from silver reclaimed from Trade Dollars!

Here you can secure a two-piece set consisting of an 1876 Trade Dollar, struck in America’s centennial year of the U.S., and an 1891 Morgan Silver Dollar struck in 1891 from reclaimed Trade Dollar silver at the “Mother Mint” in Philadelphia. Both coins have been certified, graded, and encapsulated by the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) with the Trade Dollar graded in Extremely Fine-45 (XF45) condition and the Morgan Dollar in Choice Uncirculated Mint State-64 (MS64) condition.

Act Fast; Only One Set Is Available!

This two-piece set will arrive in a deluxe presentation case and will be accompanied by an authentic City of Philadelphia Paper Bond issued from the 1850s to 1870s, and a storycard on the Philadelphia Mint. We could put only ONE of these sets together, so if you’d like to have these coins in your collection, you need to act quickly!

COIN HIGHLIGHTS:

• STRUCK FOR CIRCULATION OVERSEAS – The U.S. Trade dollar was struck from 1873 to 1878 and was intended for circulation overseas as a way to establish trade and compete with other major world coins.
• AMERICA’S MOST POPULAR COIN – The Morgan Silver Dollar—so named for its designer, U.S. Mint Assistant Engraver George T. Morgan—has stood the test of time. Struck from 1878-1904 and again in 1921, it was the coin of America’s “Wild West” and jingled in the coin purses of gamblers, gunfighters, soldiers, and dance hall girls.
• STRUCK IN HIGHLY PURE SILVER – Each U.S. Trade Dollar was struck in 27.22 grams of 90% fine silver—about 1.8% heavier than the Morgan Silver Dollar, which was struck in 26.73 grams of 90% silver
• LEGAL-TENDER COINS – While Trade Dollars were demonetized in 1876, they continued to circulate in America, particularly in the West, where they were accepted for less than their one-dollar face value. Morgans were $1 legal tender and circulated widely in the West, where coins were overwhelmingly preferred over paper currency.
• CERTIFIED & GRADED BY PCGS – Your 1876 Silver Trade Dollar has been graded by the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) in Extremely Fine-45 (XF45) condition and your 1891 Morgan Silver Dollar has been graded by PCGS in Choice Uncirculated Mint State-64 (MS64) condition.
• THE CASE OF THE DISAPPEARING MORGANS – While millions of Morgan Silver Dollars were struck from 1878 through 1921, massive silver meltings and the ravages of time have taken their toll. Today coin experts believe that only 15% of all Morgans ever struck remain in existence!

At more than 130 years old, these vintage coins are an important part of America’s history. Add the legacy of these fascinating coins to your collection now!