Coin and Paper Money Collecting/1877 Trade dollar

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Expert: - 8/5/2008


Question
Dan,
    I am currently in Afghanistan and there are numerous 1877 trade dollars for sale.  Understanding most are fake out of China and not having access to a scale to the 1/100th gram, how can I determine a fake and is it worth picking up a few just for keeps sake at the current $2.00 each price tag??  Thank you...Bill

Answer
Bill,

For $2.00 apiece, you can bet they are nothing more than silver plated at best -- most likely base metal -- and definitely counterfeits.  Think about it -- how would one 1877 trade dollar get to Afghanistan, let alone numerous ones, all the same date.

Pictures and stats about Trade dollars can be found here :

http://www.coinfacts.com/silver_dollars/trade_dollars/1874_trade_dollar.htm

If you want a keepsake, fine, but rest assured you are NOT leaving any real ones behind if you don't buy them all.

Dan

Coin and Paper Money Collecting

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Dan Moore

Expertise

My strong familiarity with all U.S. Mint coins, extensive reference library, and close relationships with many other dealers allows me to identify just about any coin made in the USA. I receive regular updates to all the current price guides -- both wholesale & retail -- to provide accurate values. So, with a good description or pictures, I should be able to identify and value any U.S. coin you have.

Experience

I've been a coin dealer since the 1980's and a coin collector since the 1960's. I specialize in U.S. Silver Coins and have an active online website -- The Working Man's Rare Coins -- http://www.workingmancoins.com -- offering information and inventory in U.S. coins.

Organizations I belong to :
American Numismatic Association Member #187770
Michigan State Numismatic Society Member #8255
Florida United Numismatics Member #19710
Monroe Coin Club Treasurer
Lincoln Coin Club Board Member
WINS Member #14
CoinMasters Member #1814

Frequently Asked Questions :
I have created a Frequently Asked Questions page on my website, where you may be able to get an immediate answer to your question. You can find the page here :
http://www.workingmancoins.com/FAQ/index.htm


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