The tail end of the trade dollar series end was composed entirely of Proofs, as the coins were demonetized for domestic use in 1876. Business strike production ended two years later, and regular Proofs were made until 1883. Stack’s Bowers Galleries is excited to offer a Proof-66 Cameo (PCGS) example from the last year of regular Proof production as lot 2053 in the Rarities Night Session of our June 2023 Showcase Auction.
Trade dollars were a fixture of Proof sets from 1873 through 1883; the Proofs were also sold individually. The Mint reclassified Proof trade dollars as medals in 1879 (Proof coins at the time were struck by the Medals Department) and production continued through 1883. A handful of examples were produced in 1884 and 1885 under murky circumstances, but the collectible part of the trade dollar series ended in 1883. Roger Burdette’s cover feature in the March 2021 edition of Coin World provides a very readable, engaging synopsis of this history for interested readers.
The 1883 Proof trade dollar offered in the June Showcase Auction is one of 15 grading events for the date in Proof-66 Cameo reported in PCGS’ Population Report, with only five finer examples reported. PCGS reports only six grading events for 1883 Proof trade dollars with the Deep Cameo designation.
Our catalog description states: “Pretty iridescent champagne-gold toning appears to drift toward the borders and yields to virtual brilliance as the coin dips into a light. Cameo contrast is strong, the design elements frosty in finish, fully defined, and set against a backdrop of mirrored reflectivity in the fields… The presently offered coin displays a combination of cameo finish and premium Gem preservation that is far superior to the typically encountered survivor. A breathtakingly beautiful specimen that will please even the most discerning collector.”
For more information on our June 2023 Official Auction of the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Expo, or to consign your numismatic items to one of our upcoming auctions, call 800-458-4646 or email [email protected].
