1881 T$1 Trade Dollar PCGS PR64CAM (CAC)

A razor-sharp strike and dramatic cameo contrast!

The proof Trade dollars of 1879 to 1883 are popular among type coin collectors. The present specimen is one of the comparatively small number of survivors that exhibit outstanding Cameo contrast. More importantly, it displays a uniformly sharp strike, despite the fact that many 1881 proof Trade dollars were carelessly produced. 

The Trade dollar was not minted in circulation-strike after 1878, however the Philadelphia Mint produced a limited number of proof coins every year to fulfill collector demand. There was a brief speculation in Trade dollars that peaked in early 1880, which led to a series-record proof mintage of 1,987 specimens that year. Nonetheless, by 1881, demand had cooled off significantly, and only 960 proof Trade dollars were produced.

Writes Heritage Auctions, “In addition to the smaller mintage, the 1881 issue was plagued by poor workmanship, and most examples show areas of flatness on Liberty's head and the upper stars, due to improper spacing of the dies. One of the reverse dies was lapped, resulting in a loss of detail in the eagle's feathers. Few examples show any desirable Cameo effect.”

However, that is definitely not the case with this offering from AUCM, with its a razor-sharp strike and dramatic cameo contrast. PCGS has graded 38 as PR64CAM with 50 finer. Collectors Universe gives this issue a price of $6,750.00 in PR64CAM with 19 finer.

William Barber, the U.S. Mint Chief Engraver who designed and engraved the beautiful Trade dollar. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.