Lot 3118
1878-S Trade Dollar. NGC graded MS-65. Well struck with nice even original toning. Pop 25; 17 in 66; none finer at NGC. Beautifully toned, this coin is, and lustrous as well, with just a whisper of blue in the mostly "old silver" to light purple-gray toning. A truly marvelous Gem trade dollar for type set purposes, not a rare year but in terms of overall quality, quite elusive. Notably, all of the obverse stars, the head of Liberty, and other features are crisp, while on the reverse, the eagle is minutely detailed. Obviously the consignor of this piece very selective (and also very lucky to find it) and it now belongs to the highest bidder. Who will that be?
The Trade dollar is by the Philadelphia mint's Chief Engraver, William Barber. Liberty sits on a bale of cotton and scans the horizon across the sea to the west, to China, figuratively, since this was the intent of such pieces, to be used as silver trade coins to compete with the Mexican 8 reales. The reverse has an eagle of a new style lacking a shield on its breast for the first time, with the mandated inscriptions including the fineness, another first for what was then a legal tender coin.
Estimated Value $5,000 - 5,500.
|
| |
| Realized $5,750 |
