1877-S Silver Trade Dollar Coin

Description

T
he United States trade dollar was a dollar coin minted by the United States Mint to compete with other large silver trade coins that were already popular in East Asia. The idea first came about in the 1860s, when the price of silver began to decline due to increased mining efforts in the western United States. A bill providing in part for the issuance of the trade dollar was eventually put before Congress, where it was approved and later signed into law as the Coinage Act of 1873. The act made trade dollars legal tender up to five dollars. A number of designs were considered for the trade dollar, and an obverse and reverse created by William Barber were selected.
Trade dollar
United States
Mass
27.2 g (420 gr)
Diameter
38.1 mm (1.5 in)
Edge
Reeded
Composition
90% silver
10% copper
Years of minting
1873?1885