I bought this a long time ago from a reputable dealer, so there's little doubt in my mind that it is genuine. It, for some reason, has a proof like appearance, which I haven't seen in many of these. What I am confused about is whether this is an AU or MS coin, I bought it as an AU 58 a long time ago, but some seem to think that the flatness in the hair doesn't signify wear, but is rather just part of the strike. I plan on selling it, so this is important, since even MS-60 is worth close to $1000 while Au-58 barely $500. I might just send it in to ANACS. Here is a picture, anyway.
If I were you, I'd have it checked for authenticity. The first thing which points to a problem is the cheek area, yours looks like she's wearing a mask... http://images.google.com/imgres?img.../images?q=1875-s+Trade+Dollar&um=1&hl=en&sa=N
I wondered about the polishing too, but then I thought that there's no way it could have been because of the mirrorlike fields. I can actually see my reflection in them. Never heard of polishing giving a mirrorlike appearance, it's just....too bright. Bonedigger, I'll double check, but I still am fairly sure that this is genuine. I know that all trade dollars are suspect due to the number of fakes, though. I don't see the mask thing in person, must just the photo.
You're right that some are more to the right, however, I think there are multiple die varieties or something, because I just checked on heritage, and I saw that some have the mintmark a little more to the left, and some have one a little more to the right. Correct me if I'm wrong, but: http://coins.ha.com/common/view_item.php?Sale_No=1114&Lot_No=824
Upon a second look , whats going on with the spot on the reverse over the "S" in grains & the 9 in .900 ? It looks like some type of blob ?
But anyway, I'm looking for your guys opinion of were the wear (no pun intended) is. I see the flatness in the hair, and first interpreted this as very slight wear, but it seems that some people say differently.
here are my 2 cents its AU it needs authentication i am not convinced its genuine polishing can give you mirror like fields unfortunate but true Hope this helps
Really? Can someone direct me to a page about polishing doing this? I examined it under magnifying glass also and didn't find evidence of alteration.
I am leaning toward genuine but some features trouble me. Take a look at the raised lump on the I of UNITED on the reverse. There appears to also be a small raised lump on the A of STATES. However the details of the coin are sharp. The stems connecting the berries to the branch in Liberty's hand are missing on many counterfeits. The stars and denticles are all sharp. Unfortunately only the top half of the coin is in focus. The bottom half is out of focus because the photo was taken with the coin tilted at an angle. A better photo with the entire coin in focus would be helpful. I think this coin has been polished. Notice the shadows around the devices, stars, numerals, etc. That could also account for the proof-like fields. ANACS would be your best bet because PCGS and NGC might bodybag this coin (assuming it is genuine) due to the large reverse scratch to the right of the eagle and the hit to the second L of DOLLAR and the rim damage at 10:00 on the obvere and 8:00 on the reverse (same location along the edge). Is that a huge scratch on the reverse running through 900 or is it part of the holder? It's in the part of the coin that is out of focus but it is close to and in line with the hit on the L in DOLLAR so I suspect it is a scratch. Let us know what you find out about this coin.
You might also want to check here: http://www.coinworld.com/news/102102/News-3.asp as the two holes in the hair ribbon they point out look a lot like the ones in the above photos. Guy~
I'm looking at a few of the other numismatic items you've been pushing on the open forum, it seems there is a question on most of them as to their authenticity... [http://www.cointalk.org/showthread.php?p=390001#post390001