SWAMP MONSTER

smokedaddy

smokedaddy

Sr. Member
Mar 4, 2008
329
104
SE Pennsylvania
Detector(s) used
Whites XLT Spectrum / Fisher 1266X / Minelab Sovereign Elite/ Garrett AT/Pro
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
Went out yesterday late afternoon, (Yes in the rain) :o . Covered the XLT and went to work in a field that has produced many coins from 1800 to early 1900's. I always bypassed a swampy area in the lower end. Since I was already wet and had the high boots on, I decided to check the area. Glad I did, after finding a harmonica reed and some brass shot shell ends, I hit a solid + 90 Signal. Out of the mud came my first Trade Dollar.
 

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Many of them were indeed melted as they were redeemed here in the USA. Just as your coin would have been melted if you turned it in to the Federal Reserve Bank. Others circulated there and were traded with other countries by the Orient.

These coins were produced by the U.S. from 1873 to 1878 for trade in the Orient to compete with other countries coins being used there. They are heavier than the normal US dollar was and contained more silver (.7874 oz). They were produces in a much more limited issue from 1879 to 1885 for coin collectors.

Many of the coins that circulated there were counter stamped with Oriental characters called Chop=Marks. They are valued lower than a non-chop marked coin by most collectors.
Every time a vendor assayed the coin they would use their mark to signify it had the proper weight and purity for the transaction.

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Coin-Collecting-2297/U-S-Oriental-Trade.htm
Click to expand...

The mind reels wondering the story that coin could tell on how it made the trip back from China to a P.A. swamp.  My Dad has a couple in his collection and I can just imagine poppa interrogating junior behind the woodpile on how a coin came up short from the collection drawer.  As I remember there was a coin company that brought back thousands from the Orient to sell to collectors.  Only briefly recognized as legal tender in the U.S. and have more silver than U.S. silver dollars. 

Nice find!
 

Congrats! That is definitely a rare coin to dig!

Would it be worth the time and effort to get it professionally graded? I've heard there is some controversy about doing this for "dug" coins.

Cavers5
 

Well done my friend amazing coin.Congrats.
 

Congratulations on one spectacular find! WOW!!!! :thumbsup:
 

Wow that the first dug Trade Dollar ive seen and in such great condition aswell congratulations.

:wav:
 

Again Thanks for the nice replies folks. I do have a question. I cleaned this coin after I dug it with some soap and water, but as you can see in the pics, It has dried mud around the tight spots. How can I clean these areas without damaging the coin. I tried a q-Tip but can't get in close enough. Like I said, the rim has a few knicks in it. Is this thing worth slabbing ?. Last question, how much does it cost to have it graded and slabbed ? Thanks Again.
 

Beeeautiful, smokedaddy! I'm glad you were rewarded for your perseverence. Excellent find and congrats on the banner.

Keep digging!
 

What can I say that hasn't already been said. Congrats on a great find, a BEAUTIFUL coin depicting what america should be all about.
 

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Day 15 - Big Grass Field........

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