J-1329 1873 T$1 Trade Dollar PCGS Genune - US Rare Coin Investments

1879 T$1 (J-1329, high R-7) PCGS Genuine. The regular first year of issue Trade Dollar, struck in White Metal with a plain edge. Although with some minor problems, this is a rarity with approximately 5 to 7 pieces known in all grades, including a couple permanently impounded in museum collections. White metal patterns are rare, as the metal was not standard at the Mint in the 19th century. Here we are able to offer one, at a fraction of the price of other patterns struck in this metal.

Off-metal strikes of the 1873 trade dollar were struck in four different metals. Pieces exist in copper, aluminum and tin, besides the white metal that is offered here. Named because of its distinctive color, this composition is related to pewter, although it has no fixed specification. It usually contains some mixed amount of lead, tin and antinomy. Patterns struck in this type of metal are extremely vulnerable, and often show oxidation or other problems. This piece actually is remarkably free of that, and is rare as such.

Examples of this variety are seldom offered, with just 4 auction appearances in the last 20 years. In 2006, a PR-64 piece, possibly the finest known, sold for an astonishing $34,500. At the price we offer the current piece, this can be considered to be a rare opportunity at the fraction of the cost of other pieces, if you are able to find one.

PCGS has not graded this piece, but did declare it genuine and put it in a holder as such. Some rim damage, not even that distracting are the reason that keep it out of a graded holder. With full AU+ surfaces, only some minor luster breaks are seen from handling. As previously mentioned, this coin is virtually free of the oxidation that is usually seen and rare as such. This is a wonderful, rare and historic coin with great eye-appeal, destined for a specialized pattern or trade dollar set.