1876-S T$1 Trade Dollar PCGS Genuine Filled Rims AU Detail

The PCGS Genuine Filled Rims – AU Detail designation gives us insight into both the authenticity and condition of this coin.

Key Features:

• Design:
  • Obverse: Features Lady Liberty seated on bales of goods, holding an olive branch in one hand and extending the other as if offering peace and commerce. The inscription “LIBERTY” appears on a ribbon, and “1876” is found below her.
  • Reverse: Depicts an eagle holding an olive branch and arrows in its talons, along with the inscriptions “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and the denomination “TRADE DOLLAR.” The “S” mintmark, for the San Francisco Mint, is located below the eagle.
• Composition: Made of 90% silver and 10% copper, with a total silver content of approximately 0.7874 troy ounces.
• Diameter: 38.1 mm.
• Weight: 27.22 grams.

Grade:

• PCGS Genuine: Confirms that the coin is authentic but has some issues preventing it from receiving a numerical grade.
• Filled Rims: This refers to a condition where the rims of the coin are affected, possibly due to being in a jewelry piece. The rims may be soft, less defined, or filled in with wear or damage, impacting the sharpness and overall appearance of the coin.
• AU Detail (About Uncirculated): Indicates that the coin exhibits light wear on the highest points but still retains most of its original detail. Despite the wear, the coin has the appearance of having been minimally circulated and may show some luster.

Historical Context:

The Trade Dollar was introduced in 1873 as a way to facilitate trade with countries in Asia, particularly China. These coins were used to compete with other large silver coins in international trade, such as the Mexican Peso and Chinese sycees.

Market Appeal:

The 1876-S Trade Dollar is highly collectible, especially since Trade Dollars have a unique place in U.S. history, being the only U.S. coins to be demonetized (in 1876) and later re-monetized in the 1960s. However, the “Genuine” designation with filled rims reduces its value compared to problem-free examples. The AU Detail grade suggests that the coin still retains much of its original design, making it attractive to collectors despite its imperfections. The filled rims issue might slightly lower its market value but does not diminish its historical significance.