http://www.numismaster.com/ta/numis/Article.jsp?ad=article&ArticleId=24997 While Morgan dollars are known to everyone, or nearly so, the Trade dollar was an unwanted stepchild in numismatics for many years. There was little interest in the varieties and the presence of chopmarks on many of the available coins was a definite minus in the eyes of most numismatists. In the past few decades, however, this has changed for the better, with an increasing number of collectors looking for the scarcer mintmarks and die varieties. The story of the Trade dollar begins with the discovery of silver, in what is now Nevada, during 1859. Prior to that time the amount of silver mined in the United States was so small that it was merely the proverbial blip on the radar screen. There was a mine in North Carolina that produced a few thousand ounces per year but this was a mere drop in the bucket compared to the silver imported from abroad.
Another thing that tuned off numismatics to the Trade Dollar is that there where probably more counterfeits available than real ones. It's interesting the the Chop marks came about because as soon as they showed up in China they strated making them too. Needles to say rather crudely at first and more refined as time went on. I think that the collecting of them probably started increasing with the advent of certification.
"Erotic"? Like a design of a bird on a coin is turning you on? That ain't creepy one bit........................... :whistle: -Brian
I was thinking the eagle looked a little different as well. I think I would have chosen the word twisted, maybe demonic, but not erotic, definitely not erotic.
