First post--75 S trade dollar

Good evening everyone,

So after a few year break I decided to get back into collecting. Just searching through my collection I came across an old favorite of mine, and 1875-S trade dollar with chop marks. I am not sure if I should value this at more or less than others due to the chop marks. I don't know if I would sell it as it isn't worth that much and it is a favorite of mine. What would this go for if I were to sell?

 

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Welcome. Counterfeit trade dollars abound and you're going to get some posts on that. I don't know much about trade dollars, but I would think chop marks add to the authenticity of the coin. Is this a proper view to have?

 

There are many counterfeit trade dollars that I have ran across, I try to buy only graded but the guy I bought this one from told me he has had it for over 30 years and based on his age and everything I didn't have much doubt so I took a shot.
I would think the chops add value but I have been out of the game for awhile, maybe it would eliminate part of the market? I would view chops as a benefit but that may be a personal taste.

 

I think it depends on the collector. Chops add to value for some. I don't think they take away though. I like the history they convey. I'm not sure I'd pay a premium for them. But again, I don't know much about trade dollars and hopefully someone better weighs in.

 

There are some good eyes around here that can confirm authenticity @Mainebill

Hopefully I just summoned one.

 

Better photos never hurt, but nothing about this coin strikes me as being anything other than perfectly genuine. Ty I/II if you're so inclined, and is more scare than I/I but still common enough.

 

As a collector of Trade dollars I prefer unchopped coins or ones with only a couple of chops that don't ruin the opposite side . From what I've seen the chops do limit the market a little so it does lower value. Yours seems genuine and I do have a chopped piece but all others are unchopped . As others have said it depends on the collector , some love them others don't yours isn't excessive and seems quite nice .
Like Books said a better pic could help us authenticate it also try to have it right side up as it's easier to read that way .

 

I fixed the images a bit.

 

This dollar apears to be authentic, with authentic chop marks.

However, there are many, many fake trade dollars. The counterfeiters know that chop marks were signs of authenticity, so they will sometimes add fake chops to fake dollars to help pass them off more easily.

Again, that does not appear to be the case here - but just because a coin is chopped does not mean (or indicate) that it is authentic.

I, personally, will not buy a chopped coin. I find them distinctly unappealing, and avoid them as problem coins. But, that is my taste.

Some people like them, and will buy them.

I don't usually see premiums for chops, these often trade at a discount (because of the lower demand).

 

I look at chop marks as PMD. It's equal to stamping a "Where is George" on a one dollar bill. It defaces the currency's attractiveness.

 

I like it. Nice rims, nice variety of chops, not bent bad or bad cleaning. I also would like some opinions on value on a coin like this...I have my ideas but I'm no expert .....I will say value no more than $180.

 

It's real. A type 1/2 with the ribbon ends pointing left on the obverse and the berry beneath the claw on the reverse. A common date. Has nice original looking skin from what I can tell from the pics. A low au I'd call it grade wise. Au-50 or so. From ha archives I see uncleaned slabbed au 75-s trade dollars selling around $130-200 so I'd say likely $150 for a ballpark I personally view chopmarked trade dollars as damaged but theirs still collectors for them. I hope that helps

 

I'm in at a Low EF , no way is that an AU coin in my opinion .

 

With better images, outside of the holder, I might change my opinion.
I feel the coin has more damage than just the chop marks and will not straight grade. I'm at VF details.

 

Good morning everyone,

I am out of town for Easter but upon returning home Monday I will take a few higher quality photos. I am not so much worried about authenticity as I feel very confident that it is and more the value. I don't intend on selling it but the whole chop marks made me curious about it.

 

Larry you're probably right and I was going to say or even VF but I couldn't tell if the loss of detail in the left wing was the result of a chop .

 

pics a little fuzzy but looks genuine to me with low EF details. I think coins like this need to be appreciated more as historical artifacts than as exemplars for the type. Think where this coin has been, at least one Trans-Pacific round trip and who knows where in the Orient. And it seems to have a nice patina to it as well. Value? I'd guess 125-150.

 

Updated photos just taken this AM:

 

For anyone wondering I did find a buyer for it and decided to sell it and invest it in something else. Posted it on Ebay and got multiple offers but ended up cutting a deal for $215 outside of Ebay to save me on fees.

 

Unless things have greatly changed these last few years, or the coins happens to have certain marks somehow desirable, that's rather strong money for someone to pay imo. Hopefully they're a knowledgeable buyer.