The United States Congress authorized the U.S. Mint to create a Trade Dollar to improve trade with the Orient, China in particular. It was legal tender all around the world, but especially in Asia and was minted from 1873 to 1885.
Denomination: $1
Designer: William Barber
Edge Type: Reeded
Mint/ Mint Mark: Philadelphia (No Mint Mark), San Francisco (S), Carson City (CC)
Obverse: Seated Liberty extending her hand, bearing an olive branch, surrounded by thirteen stars. The 13 stars across the coin represents the 13 original colonies.
Reverse: An American Bald Eagle facing right. A floating banner above the eagle states “E PLURIBUS UNUM” while above the banner are the words “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.” The eagle holds three arrows in her right talon and an olive branch in her left. Below the eagle is the weight (420 grains) and the fineness (.900 Silver). Below is the denomination “TRADE DOLLAR” at the bottom of this reeded edge coin.
