At a Crossroads | Trade Dollars

I have said it once and I'll say it again, I am not a big fan of trade dollars. I do not like the design enough to warrant the high premiums they usually command; I would rather put that money into draped/capped bust coinage.

But as a type collector I still gotta have one for the album. Back in 2019 I bought a really cheap 1878 trade dollar (G Details) with a hole in it, just to fill the bigger hole in my 7070.

Last night at the coin club I bought an 1876 trade dollar , FR02 (problem free) for the rock bottom price of $35.

So here's the question. In my type set, do I want to have a trade dollar with low details that is problem free; or should I instead go with a holed one with better details?

It really isn't a big issue, seeing that they are both budget coins. But I believe this represents a larger (and interesting) question in numismatics.

Anyways, here are pics of the dollars. Sorry if they're a bit blurry.

[Coin I bought last night]



Coin that was in my Type Set

 

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The one without the hole nice,don't have a trade dollar yet I want a normal heavily circulated example for $50 or less,yes im cheap.Wish I could find one for under $100 let alone $35 on the bay you got a excellent deal.

 

Considering the plentiful nature of the 78-S, I’d personally select the coin that you purchased last night for display in your 7070.

 

That one is a toss up. For me, with all things being equal I would opt for the 1876 without the hole if I were going to admire it in my 7070.

 

Holes are for coins to fill, not for coins to have through them.

 

I'd take the holed one for $40 so you don't need to worry about it

 

Yeah, keep the solid one, that's my vote. Here's my 1875-S, I love it when I get an opportunity to post a pic!

 

I'm going against the crowd here and voting for the holed 78. The 76 just doesn't give me any details as to the design only an outline and it's missing half of the reverse. At least with the 78 I can tell more of what is going on in the design.
I'm putting the holed coin in my type set until I come across a nicer example that fits my budget.

 

I'm leaning slightly towards the 1876. I'm ok with holed examples to fill a spot but in that case I would like for it to be significantly better (VF/XF in this comparison) so that the rest of the design can still be appreciated.

 

I like either, but that FR for $35 would have been snapped up by me in a heart beat. I still am looking for a Trade Dollar for my type set and I like coins with good honest wear.
Honestly, I wouldn't sneeze at the 78S either

 

I prefer the un-holed version. I like my donuts with holes, my coins without. But why not keep both? Put one in a flip and tape it into the 7070 along with the one you choose to put in the album hole. Have your cake and eat it too.

 

RIP Robert Johnson..........don't do 'holed'. You may be one. Unless you collect 'em. Stick with the lesser definition (old and somewhat ugly) coin.

 

If it were me I'd sell them both and use the proceeds towards a problem free example with more detail.

 

As a type collector myself, I find there are some issues that don't exactly set the woods on fire for me either. (double dimes, shield nickels). but, if I'm going to buy a type coin, I want one that shows the design details reasonably well. For that reason, I would recommend a cash and trade deal for a VF to EF example. If that isn't going to happen, keep the 76 P which has honest wear and a nice patina. the hole in the other one would drive me nuts.
Pretty trade dollar, fretboard-- did you buy it raw?

 

Not sure what your budget is but this was bought for about $150...



VF20

 

Which one to keep? None. I‘d sell both coins, add a few dollars, and get a nice VF for my type set (just like CoinCorgi suggested).

I personally think a coin graded FR02 has a major problem - too much wear ;-)

 

Only you can answer that as it is your collection and what you like better

 

Thank you guys for the great responses, I haven't been able to come back on until just now.

I think you are onto something. A lot of wear doesn't really bother me and at $35 I might just upgrade and add the '76 to my junk silver box.

I would come up with some clever joke about my username being YoloBagels but I am not feeling it today. I will just sell off the dollar I don't keep and use that to finally buy a Capped Bust Quarter (Missed a nice 1818 for $27 by a few minutes yesterday ).

I think I will go with the 1876 for the type set. Also forgot to mention that it is pedigreed to Bill Fivaz, writer and author of Cherrypicker's guide and many other books.

 

I would keep the 76 as a pocket piece, and keep looking to replace the one with a hole.