The Trade-Up Game: how far will I get in one year?

At the current silver price, that’s a trade up, so yes. I sent you a private message. Because of forum rules and this being a thread in the discussion forums, I cannot do any trading in this thread. This is just for discussion of my progress. The trades will have to be done privately.

 

Sure, she’s slick, and I don’t anticipate having a big line of people lined up at the door to trade for that coin. But moving from the $3.43 silver value of the starter coin, that will push us up to $9.13 worth of silver. So it’s a trade up.

I’d have declined a worn-out Buffalo nickel. But a worn-out SLQ at least has bullion value. Oh, and it’s got an “S” mintmark, too.

You’ve gotta plant small acorns to grow an oak tree over time, right?

 

Trade #1: a dateless (ca. 1917-1924) Standing Liberty quarter, San Francisco mint
Received from: @Randy Abercrombie
Estimated value: $9.13 (the silver melt price as of 11/20/25)



What’ll I get for it? Let’s wait and see!

 

I’m happy to report that two different (indulgent and kind) members have offered me swaps on that dateless SLQ (to their disadvantage). And either of the two swaps will be a noticeable trade up. I’m just waiting for pictures of one of the coins before I decide which deal to take.

Regardless of whose coin I choose, here’s a tip o’ the hat to recognize both @H8_modern and @Yankee42 for stepping up. Stay tuned to see whose coin I picked to be the next trade!

 

I made my choice.

Trade #2: 1908 Canada (Newfoundland) silver 50-cent piece of Edward VII
Received from: @H8_modern
Estimated value: $18.09 (the silver melt price as of 11/25/25)

This coin is Numista-4585 and KM-11. As is the case with most Newfoundland issues, it has a pretty low mintage, of 160,000 pieces. Numista values it at $23 in VG (this one is barely that), but I'll estimate its value based on spot silver price alone.



What’ll I get for it? Let’s wait and see!

 

I should add that @Yankee42 offered me a 1943 Walking Liberty half, which also would have been a suitable trade up. So I found myself with two choices. The Walker half had a tiny bit more silver content than the Newfoundland half, but it was scratched, so I went with the Newfie. Though low grade, it appears essentially problem free, and has that low mintage. Cool coin, and a nice trade up.

Thanks to both @H8_modern and @Yankee42 for stepping up to help move the project along.

 

Thanks for the update. I'm sure he'll be watching his mailbox in great anticipation of such a treasure, eh?