| Maybe you're familiar with the term "trade dollars" and | | | | Originally trade dollars were produced in order to |
| maybe you're not. Silver Trade Dollars were issued by | | | | improve trade with China. In recent days there have |
| their respective country to be used from trading of | | | | been exact copies of brand new trade dollars created |
| international goods from foreign countries. Many | | | | in China to look just like the ones produced in the |
| countries made trade dollars but four stand out as the | | | | 1800's. Some of the fakes are being sold and passed |
| most popular. | | | | off as being original, from the 1800's but these are |
| The United States Mint produced silver trade dollars in | | | | simply reproduction coins. |
| their Philadelphia, Carson City and San Francisco | | | | Japanese trade dollars were also popular around the |
| locations from the years 1873 to 1885. The U.S. Trade | | | | same time and were used for trade between Japan |
| dollar was designed by the Mint's Chief Engraver, | | | | and the U.S. These coins contained 26.96 grams of |
| William Barber. Of the three locations, the San | | | | silver that was 90% pure. |
| Francisco location was the one most utilized because | | | | The third trade dollar that was also popular in the late |
| the silver was mined closest to San Francisco and | | | | 1800's and early 1900's were British Trade Dollars. The |
| they were usually used for trade between China, and | | | | British trade dollars were used for trade with Britain |
| San Francisco which was the closest trade route | | | | and countries in the Orient. Singapore and Hong Kong |
| between China and the U.S. During that time | | | | were especially popular countries to trade these coins |
| transportation was slow and it made most sense to | | | | with. British trade dollars were produced in two Mint |
| the produce the coins close to the location where they | | | | locations; one in Calcutta and the other in Bombay. |
| would be used. | | | | This list would not be complete without adding the |
| When traded with Chinese traders, they would strike | | | | Chinese trade dollar. They were used for trade |
| the Trade Dollars to check for their authenticity, which | | | | between China and Britain. Hardest to believe about |
| would leave what are called "chop marks" on the | | | | the Chinese trade dollars is that there were used to |
| coins that were used in trade. The coins were made | | | | trade Opium, which was brought to China and sold to |
| of 420 grains or 27g of silver, which was 90% pure. | | | | its residents, which made some traders from Britain |
| At the time trade dollars actually contained 100g more | | | | very wealthy. |
| of silver than silver dollars created for domestic use. | | | | |