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Coin and Paper Money Collecting/1877 Trade Dollar that opens
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Question
I inherited this unusual coin years ago. When you press on the letter "T" in the word "STATES", the coin opens to reveal some sort of "secret compartment".
I compared the coin to authentic 1877 Trade Dollars and it appears to be an excellent replica - although I'm no numismatist.
This item does not strike me as some "trinket", as the machining of the mechanism appears to be quite precise.
Can you cast some light on what I have? I would appreciate any information. Thank You.
Allan,
You have what's known as an "opium dollar" or a "coin box".
In the 19th Century, United States Trade Dollars and some Morgan Dollars were made into, what was called, "Opium" boxes. This is a bit misleading as this coin box was probably not used to carry opium. Trade Dollars circulated in China as a trade unit. Opium was prevalent there and China was also the place where many of the boxes were made as novelties. The relationship to China, Opium and the Trade Dollar gained this creation the American tag "Opium Dollar".
These generally sell in the $200 to $300 range if in good condition.
Dan
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Thank You, Dan Now I know the background of this old coin. I have some other coins that I may need your help with. Again, Dan, many thanks for your expertise. | ||
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Answers by Expert:
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.
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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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