does anyone know what a 1878 trade dollar with no mint mark weighs does anyone have a good picture of a real 1878 trade dollar
The weight of your Trade Dollar is right there on the reverse - 420 grains .900 fine. Your Trade Dollar should weight 27.22 grams. 1878 is a Proof-only year for Trade Dollars. Only 900 were struck. Unless you paid a couple of thousand dollars or more it is highly unlikely your Trade Dollar is genuine. Where did you get your Trade Dollar? Is it attracted to a magnet?
should weigh 27.22 grams like any other trade dollar. Because youre asking for the weigth I assume there is a dollar you are trying to authenticate. Just be advised that there are many trade dollar fakes, more than other series. - darn posted too late
the trade dollar was in my grandfathers very large collection the coin does not stick to a magnet and i dont think he would have kept a fake but the coin does have some wear
That is no guarantee that it is genuine. If your Trade Dollar was attracted to a magnet it would definitely be counterfeit. Many cheap Chinese counterfeit Trade Dollars are attracted to a magnet but the fact yours is not attracted to a magnet does not mean it is not a fake. There are LOTS and LOTS of counterfeits that have been in collections for decades and decades. Many Proof coins have circulated. Trade Dollars were not popular and many Proof Trade Dollars were spent and circulated. First - - - DO NOT CLEAN YOUR TRADE DOLLAR!!! Second - Take your Trade Dollar to a competent coin dealer and ask him if he can authenticate the coin for you. If he thinks your Trade Dollar is genuine it would be worthwhile to send it to PCGS or NGC. Depending on condition it could be worth up to $1,000 (AU-50).
ithank you so much for your advice i have brought it to gold and silver exchange and he said it looked real to him. he offered me $200 dollars but if it is real im really not out to sell it just would be nice to know if infact its real or not
A picture would help... I'm sure you have access to a digital camera. Even with tentative confirmation from a "gold and silver exchange", I would still be very leary of this coin.
