Advice on buying a trade dollar for my type set

Because of previous posts I have learned that this is a much counterfeited coin. is it possible to obtain a genuine one without having to spend for a certified coin?

 

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My advice on this never changes... If you do not know the coin type well enough to be sure it is not a fake, buy the certified coin to be safe, or find a dealer you can trust to sell you a real one uncertified. Admitedly I only apply this rule to coins over the $100 mark.. I figure a mistake made under that amount is a good lesson not to do it again (and someday i might learn that lesson, just got burned on a hawaiian $1 coin this week, beautiful silver coin... but alas is a copy...)

 

Sure, it's possible, but you have to know the series well. Many of the raw ones have been cleaned or otherwise abused and are unattactive. If you just want one for type, my advice would be to get an XF to AU S mint from 1875 to 1878, in a graded holder, and if you want some extra spice a chopmark or 2 showing it made the trip to the Orient and back. Mint state coins of course are much more expensive.
for instance, an AU58:
Or an XF with some toning:

 

Buy from a major dealer. Get a receipt w/guarantee coin is genuine. Draw two circles on the back and note some marks on the coin. Have him initial the drawing.

What a beautiful AU-58. In five years it will be a 63!

 

$110 1878S DDR _(Cleaned ) Graded XF Details

 

If you want one raw just get a graded one and crack it out

 

And watch those chop marks

 

Go for one with a great deal of genuine wear.

 

Why?

 

here is one for sale/auction on ebay now( I have no affiliation with the seller), which looks original. It has a few rim nicks but otherwise few marks. should be about a vf35-ef 40. https://www.ebay.com/itm/1878-S-Trade-Dollar/254781272331?hash=item3b5225b10b:g:IX8AAOSwUAdfsffz

 

Thanks-what would you say would be a realistic valuation for this coin?

 

and here is a nice graded one on great collections ending sunday
https://www.greatcollections.com/Coin/843775/1878-S-Trade-Silver-Dollar-PCGS-VF-35-from-photo

 

I think if you could get it for 200 plus or minus a bit you would be ok, as that would be around retail pricing. Less of course is always better, but as a collector I expect to pay around retail prices.

 

Yes but you need to have the skills/knowledge to be able to authenticate it yourself. If you don't trust your skill set enough to feel comfortable doing that, then buy it certified.