Very interesting and useful information. I don't think I have a real good reason to want it slabbed. I like the way a slabbed coin looks, and I just wanted an "official grade" on it, I guess. I could always just buy an airtite to put it in and call it good. My local dealer will send it off for me for $40 if I decide to have it graded.
I agree cleaned . And maybe somewhat harshly as in a couple pics I see what looks like hairlines . Sometimes hairlines are visible only at certain angles and any other angles will look like a clean coin . Hope I'm wrong and she'll straight grade but I don't think she will AU Details for me .
Thank you to all of yall who have weighed in so far. I am still enjoying researching about the trade dollar. It is a great looking and very interesting coin. I am going to send it in on the next shipment through my local coin shop and we will see what happens.