1874-S Trade Dollar, 420 grains 900 fine

I think you will find that his "420 grains 900 fine" comment was made because that is what the coin says on it.

Yep definitely sounds like a box or opium dollar. They are very popular items and can often bring anywhere from $200 to $500 depending on how well made they are. Some are crude, others are pieces of fine workmanship. I don't know when they first started making these items but I do know there was a booth at the Columbian Exposition that manufactured them for a small fee with the customer providing the coins, and the merchant keeping the scraps. Trade dollars were popular for this type of item because they were larger and only worth their bullion value, about 80 cents apiece, cheaper than using two silver dollars. Often times the photo inside has been lost over the years and the box is empty, sometimes there is a border frame piece inside but usually not. On of the most impressive ones I have seen instead of a photo had an engraving of the portrait on the inside. And the engraving was an excellent piece of workmanship.

Some images of a box or opium dollar open so you can see what they look like inside and how they are put together.

 

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Thanks for posting the photos, mine looks exactly the same and the lady's name is carved inside the cover

 

I would still love to see your pics , being an ex tool and die maker I know the precission work that can go into one of these , also they can be done quite crudely . The quality of the machining and the names engraving mean a lot as to value . This we need your pics for . I had a feeling this was the real thing . But when collectors hear the word Trade dollar we think of fakes because so many are out their . Congrats on your piece .

 

Just give me until Thu night, as I am away from home today

thanks

 

Probably absolutely no numismatic value, but as an antique, could be quite valuable.

 

I looked at one back in January at the Fun Show. Been wanting one for years. The dealer would not let loose of it and would not even talk about a price. Ran into a different one at a Vegas Jewelry show. It had a sign saying, Not For Sale. Cool item. Thanks Conder for the images.

 

Great photographs. I never even new these existed. I was at the Fun Show in Orlando but missed seeing it. Since it is used as a locket, I could see why you might find one at a jewelry show. Idhair, do you recall the dealers name? If he's at the ANA Summer Show in Chicago, I would stop by just to look.

 

Wonder how they did that in 1893...without the Dremel 4000. :scratch:

 

I don't really know the dealer. It's such a giant show.

 

Believe it or not machinists were quite skilled just as skilled as we are today . The only difference really is the lathes and mills were run by pulleys instead of electricity . A tool a dye maker back then could come and work in a modern factory today and the only differences would be the power and the CNC machines . But I'm sure they'd of loved a Dremmel . lol

 

Actually opium dollars bring good money

 

I've bought several they're not bad to collect.
From the photos this one ain't high end, better quality ones will have the denticles.

 

This the best I can get at night, i will try and take more photos day time

 

Great piece. You probably know this but don't try to clean it. It's cool just the way it is.

 

Thanks for the advice, did you read what carved on the inside, is it a name?

 

Looks like initials and I'm terrible bad at determining these types. SSS?

Pretty Victorian Lady OP.........

 

Simply beautiful . I'd up the value given , it could go for $500 up . A beautiful piece . I love it when someone finds something this nice and well made . A lot of good work went into that piece . :thumb:

 

I have the exact same coin except I found a mark inside mine. Does anybody recognize it?