I was at my local shop tonight playing a couple of hands of poker (for fun, not money) whilst waiting for my daughter to get back from a church activity. The owner's daughter mentioned that they had bought the neatest locket today. She brought it out and I was so surprised to see an 1877 S Trade dollar Opium/box dollar. I've only ever seen a handful of these in my life and only at Major shows/auctions. I just had to have it for my eclectic collection. Here are the pics, I haven't figured out whether the back also comes from an 1877 S trade dollar or what diagnostics it matches up to. I'll have to find someone who specializes in Trades or a book on them first. In addition, there was a picture in the "locket" and on the back is a partial name of the studio and its location in Sioux city, Iowa. Pretty cool.
True Americana you've got there BQ. That's one heck of a pickup, and one heck of a conversation piece. To think, who could of at one time owned this piece? And that picture of those young ladies. That was in the locket?
That's very neat. I've been meaning to pick up an opium piece for quite some time, but never got one.
I think box dollars are really neat, every time I tried to snag one on eBAy I was sniped, until I lucked out on this one:
Those are nice! I especially like the one with old picture in the locket. A treasured view into the past. -LTB
I agree, the photo adds a lot of interest, and from the dress it looks (to me) approximately contemporary with the coin.
I just happen to have one of these with a picture of a woman inside. It works too. You pinch the coin just below the date and the door opens. It's a 1877 just like the one above but without dings in the lid. I got it from one of my relatives through my mother's side. I'm going to sell it. After reading this I thought to give real collectors a first shot at it. I see prices from $200 to $300. I'll sell this for $250 , paypal. I'll pay shipping. Please excuse me if it is not proper to mention coins for sale in this way. I have one other coin too: 1936 Bay Bridge Half Dollar in good condition. It's the one with the bear on it. It's in very good circulated condition. The edges are still sharp. Any advice welcome.
Not correct place to try to sell. You have to through a probate period before advertising. Also if you find A buyer see if they would take my 1878 S box I have
There's an open forum on this website you can post ads to. You need a minimum number of posts first, though.
Thanks, I'm not in any hurry. I just noticed that someone here was interested in finding one. I see a few fixed price selling on E-bay. Perhaps that would be a good way to check things out.
them old black and white pictures creep me out. i don't know why, but no matter how many i see, everyone looks scary! i want one, but not willing to pay what they are worth. maybe i will run into one!
I've searched eBay a few times for these and nothing found. What's the best key words to use to narrow in on them?
looks like the center is removed, then another is riveted in, which contains the hinge hooks, that the top is attached to.